WS Rudder Assembly (Mid Pin)

Also found on some Perception brand kayaks. The Wilderness Systems Mid Pin Rudder Assembly can be used as a replacement part for nearly all Wilderness Systems kayaks outfitted with the plastic BTS rudder bracket, as well as other Wilderness Systems kayak models a metal bracket.

This rudder is also arbitrarily called Short Pin by Confluence Water Sports, the company that owns the Dagger, Perception and Wilderness Systems brands. It will fit like a Bayonet Pin into the stern of some Perception and Wilderness Systems brand kayaks. While not a true Short Pin or Bayonet Pin, in the well established kayak nomenclature we have used for decades, it is similar to these pin types. The Smart Track Video will shed some light on this matter.

The Wilderness Systems Mid Pin Rudder Assembly is composed of a metal blade housing with a plastic and glass fiber blade. It is a match to the nearly all metal Wilderness Systems. The Wilderness Systems Rudder Assembly is sometimes referred to as a Short Pin, but would be more correctly called a Mid Pin. This is also a bayonet style rudder assembly that is NOT compatible with most other bayonet style rudder assemblies, such as the Smart Track Bayonet Pin and other kayaks, often made overseas.

Pin is 1 and 15/16 inches long, 3/8 inch diameter.

The redesigned rudder blade has a foil-shape for more efficiency and less drag in the water than standard flat metal blades. The Wilderness Systems Rudder Assembly is made to be used with Wilderness Systems Mid-Pin BTS rudder bracket that also came in assorted metal styles, as well as other Wilderness Systems kayak models such as the Focus (bayonet style) with a hole on deck for the pin to insert into. See the Bayonet Pin Detail Photo showing the original 2014 pin on the BTS version rudder. The exact same pin is still in use today. MPRDR

This rudder is made to take Rudder Cable Swivels and can be used with Rudder Cable (by the foot), Spectra Cord or Standard Rudder Cables (with eyes). Cables on older models typically fasten with 10 – 32 screws and nuts, Clevis Pins and Rings and other options. When retrofitting older kayaks with this rudder it may be necessary to use plastic spacers (tiny nylon tubes) to match the holes in the rudder wings to the smaller diameter screws, pins or shackles.

3 feet of 3/16 inch Bungee Cord is included with this replacement rudder, for the rudder lifting rope tension line, and a Rudder Pin Ring.