Feelfree Lure 13.5 Issues

[the reel ess]

So I bought a used Lure 13.5 back in the spring. It came already rigged with a good fish finder, a solar powered charger and a battery. There's a lot to like about this kayak. The seat is very comfy and it's so stable it's made for standing. The negatives are the weight (92 lbs) and the tracking is horrible. The rear has a built-in wheel but it's rounder there than in the front and the rear is always blowing around while I'm fishing. They make a rudder kit for it that supposedly fixes this issue. But i want some recommendations before I shell out more money and undergo the installation for an already expensive kayak. I'm finding myself using my older Perception Pescador because it's easier to manage (about 50 lbs) and tracks great. It has a molded-in skeg. A superior tracking design in a kayak that costs less than half of the Lure. If the lure needs a rudder, they should sell it with one.

 

Has anyone done the rudder for the Lure and is it worth the money and time?

[Junger]

I don't have the answer to your question, but the guys over at Snaggedline might.

 

http://www.snaggedline.com/

[markedman]

I've heard the rudder does make a big difference. I do agree with you that a rudder should be included with most kayaks. Vibe is one of the few manufacturers that includes a rudder.

 

To make it worse, the rudder for most kayaks is about $300 extra.

 

The biggest benefit to keeping the Lure 13.5 is that you can add a overdrive to pedal it or even a motordrive as an electric motor. Many buy it for its versatility. On the negative side, the overdrive and/or motordrive goes where the transducer pod is located so if you upgrade you have to do a different solution for your fishfinder such as a cellblock mounted on the geartrack.

[the reel ess]

20 hours ago, markedman said:

I've heard the rudder does make a big difference. I do agree with you that a rudder should be included with most kayaks. Vibe is one of the few manufacturers that includes a rudder.

 

To make it worse, the rudder for most kayaks is about $300 extra.

 

The biggest benefit to keeping the Lure 13.5 is that you can add a overdrive to pedal it or even a motordrive as an electric motor. Many buy it for its versatility. On the negative side, the overdrive and/or motordrive goes where the transducer pod is located so if you upgrade you have to do a different solution for your fishfinder such as a cellblock mounted on the geartrack.

I've been considering a trolling motor with one of those mounts that lock into the rod holders instead. That would not be much more than the rudder and might help some with the fatigue of having to handle the monster. The pedal drives don't get good reviews. I've seen a lot of complaints about how easy they are to break and you're looking at well over $1000 for everything you need in addition to a $1300 kayak (retail).

[mhtranger]

I have the 11.5 and did the rudder. It makes the kayak so much better. I also agree it is wicked heavy but I’m loading it in a truck and don’t have to car load it. I did not have anything to compare it to as this is my first kayak. I also only use it on small waters. The one time I took it to the river it was a little more work to paddle to keep it straight. 

I agree that adding a rudder is expensive and should be included but all the other features were worth it to me. Now my kayak is complete and all I have to do is fish! 

Check out the Lure Facebook site (if you haven’t already)as a lot of people have great ideas there. 

[Smalls]

I haven’t paddled the Lure, but I fish out of a BigFish, made by FeelFree. Not exactly apples and apples, but close.  From my understanding basically a rudder is pretty much necessary for all FeelFree kayaks. I DIY’d mine, cause I wasn’t forking out $200.

 

But if you buy cable from Home Depot, and modify your existing foot rests (basically just figure out how to attach the cables and leave them unlocked to slide back and forth), you can purchase just the rudder for $90. 

[Skunkd]

Having paddled a rudderless kayak for years (Heritage Redfish 14) and now owning a Hobie Outback I wouldn't want to go without one. The OB is a heavy boat also (99lbs rigged w/o gear) but I'm loading it into the bed of my pickup with the aid of a cart. You didn't mention if you're using a cart? I wouldn't want to lift a boat that size for any distance so a cart might make sense. I assume you're car topping ? Again a cart will help get the boat into position to easily lift the bow onto the rack and then the stern. Lots of clever DIY cart ideas on YT to custom fit your hull for short $$. Two pretty easy fixes  it seems since you've said you otherwise like the boat.

[the reel ess]

15 hours ago, fishnbear said:

Having paddled a rudderless kayak for years (Heritage Redfish 14) and now owning a Hobie Outback I wouldn't want to go without one. The OB is a heavy boat also (99lbs rigged w/o gear) but I'm loading it into the bed of my pickup with the aid of a cart. You didn't mention if you're using a cart? I wouldn't want to lift a boat that size for any distance so a cart might make sense. I assume you're car topping ? Again a cart will help get the boat into position to easily lift the bow onto the rack and then the stern. Lots of clever DIY cart ideas on YT to custom fit your hull for short $$. Two pretty easy fixes  it seems since you've said you otherwise like the boat.

I haul my kayaks on my Silverado. The Lure has a wheel built into the hull in the area that normally is a skeg. So you don't have to drag it. But it's still not easy to lug around. Since it's one wheel in the center, it's not easily balanced to move around and the wheel will occasionally get fouled with grass, gravel or weeds. Also, it will roll back off your truck while loading it if you aren't careful.  In other words, the back end is "skegless" and it could still use a cart.

 

it looks like the rudder is in order as well as at least a DIY cart. And I need a longer paddle due to the extra width.

[mhtranger]

Have you seen the diy two wheel that someone did on YouTube? It replaces the single wheel in the keel. 

[Bass Junke]

All this talk about rudders on kayaks has me questioning my motives. I have a Vibe skipjack, it is a 9' no rudder. I will be buying the Seaghost 110 at the end of the year. My plan was to remove the rudder as soon as I get the boat, save a little weight. What will a rudder do for me? Will it save me paddle strokes when traveling long distances? Will it increase my maneuverability? 

 

My current method of fishing is once I arrive a spot I want to fish, I park my paddle, grab my backwater assault paddle and place it next to me. I have become quite proficient at adjusting my position with my line in the water. 

 

Now an 11' kayak is no giant, it only weights 65lbs. I am pretty confident I could spin that kayak 180 degrees with 2 paddle strokes. I think the rudder will help with positioning. The fact that the Vibe's rudder is foot operated does make it worth at least trying. 

 

Help me out guys. How is a rudder on a kayak going to help me?

 

[Smalls]

15 hours ago, Bass Junke said:

Help me out guys. How is a rudder on a kayak going to help me?

It’s going to help with tracking, turning, and positioning. 

 

If you removed it, you’d save like a pound, if that. 

[Bass Junke]

All right Smalls, thanks I am going to try it at least a couple of times. I was just joking about saving some weight. I still think in the end it is coming off. Hey guys, if I do decide to remove it, first one to post their address I'll send it to him or her

[DogBone_384]

I have ‘14 and ‘18 Lure 11.5s. I didn’t have a rudder on the ‘14 until I bought the ‘18 with the Overdrive and really didn’t have a problem with its tracking. It IS necessary with the Overdrive.

 

The rudder transforms the kayak it’s an easy install and well worth the money to add.

[the reel ess]

On 7/5/2019 at 8:23 AM, Bass Junke said:

All this talk about rudders on kayaks has me questioning my motives. I have a Vibe skipjack, it is a 9' no rudder. I will be buying the Seaghost 110 at the end of the year. My plan was to remove the rudder as soon as I get the boat, save a little weight. What will a rudder do for me? Will it save me paddle strokes when traveling long distances? Will it increase my maneuverability? 

 

My current method of fishing is once I arrive a spot I want to fish, I park my paddle, grab my backwater assault paddle and place it next to me. I have become quite proficient at adjusting my position with my line in the water. 

 

Now an 11' kayak is no giant, it only weights 65lbs. I am pretty confident I could spin that kayak 180 degrees with 2 paddle strokes. I think the rudder will help with positioning. The fact that the Vibe's rudder is foot operated does make it worth at least trying. 

 

Help me out guys. How is a rudder on a kayak going to help me?

 

The biggest drawback of a rudderless kayak (to me) is how badly the back will turn in the wind. I don't have a rudder on my cheaper kayak, but it has a molded-in skeg. It doesn't have that problem.

[Bass Junke]

On 7/6/2019 at 7:38 AM, DogBone_384 said:

I have ‘14 and ‘18 Lure 11.5s. I didn’t have a rudder on the ‘14 until I bought the ‘18 with the Overdrive and really didn’t have a problem with its tracking. It IS necessary with the Overdrive.

 

The rudder transforms the kayak it’s an easy install and well worth the money to add.

Yes, the Vibe's have no pedal or power option. Paddling is the only way to go. I plan on getting the 2019 model and they say they improved rudder system, used better cord, cable,? I am going to try it out. 

 

Let's put a rudder on a canoe, if you are canoeing solo I can see this helping, maybe you don't need to switch as often. Now I put a rudder on a kayak I paddle... just going to have to wait to experience it. Can't wait.

44 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

The biggest drawback of a rudderless kayak (to me) is how badly the back will turn in the wind. I don't have a rudder on my cheaper kayak, but it has a molded-in skeg. It doesn't have that problem.

It has been a windy year here, my kayak has a pretty neutral drift. The wind really pushes me around but I tend to stay faced in the same direction. I find lures that move a lot of water turn me more. I spin like a top with spinner bait when not anchored.