WINDING AMONG THE DARK TRUNKS of a spring-flooded forest, then ferrying out across a wind-raked channel, it strikes me as ironic that the world’s first kayak equipped with a Skudder—that is, a combination skeg and rudder—seems to have little use for either. Let me explain.

The Venture Jura’s long waterline and slim stern yield excellent tracking even in heavy crosswinds. Heeled over on its hard chines, the Jura becomes quite nimble, carving gracefully between the shadowy trees.

Still, most paddlers expect a touring kayak to be equipped with either a skeg or rudder. Now you can have both.

“The Skudder is something that Graham [Mackereth, owner of Venture and sister brand P&H] has been interested in for a long time,” says Brian Day, Venture’s head of operations. “We’ve all paddled in conditions where a skeg helps to trim the boat in the wind. And a rudder allows paddlers to save energy by focusing on forward paddling. The Skudder gives you the benefits of both systems.”

Since the Jura’s well-mannered tracking means it doesn’t want to turn unless edged, the Skudder will aid beginners who don’t yet feel confident on edge. Fully deployed, the Skudder can be used to initiate turning, but its unobtrusive design and ability to function as a skeg means novice paddlers won’t outgrow the boat as their skills develop. Experienced paddlers with a pre-existing skeg or rudder bias will find the Skudder moves in either direction with them.

In rough water and following seas, the Skudder is more effective than a conventional rudder. That is, it spends more time actually in the water when paddling in steep, short period waves. Moreover, its under-stern placement doesn’t catch the wind or pose a hazard during rescues.

The Jura’s cruising speed is average for a 16-foot boat. But cruising, as any intrepid traveler will tell you, is about more than just speed—it’s about confidence, comfort and capability.

Jotting notes inside a Ziploc bag—head buried in my lap, hood lashed by a driving rain and the kayak pulled by a swift current that had also snared fallen branches and the odd ice floe—concerns about stability never crossed my mind.

The Jura’s near-flat, slightly V hull has the primary stability to put first-timers at ease. High volume in front of the cockpit rewards intermediate paddlers with stable yet dramatic edging, although shorter paddlers will have to reach a bit to paddle the HV on edge. An upcoming MV version will offer the same performance for smaller folks.

Plush, butt- and back-cradling outfitting pairs a contoured foam seat with a ratcheting backband. The large, ergonomic thigh braces combined with a high knee position round out the roomy and comfortable cockpit.

Bow, stern and day hatches offer plenty of volume for longer tours. The Skudder control cables are routed just below the deck and through a molded pillar to the hull, so there are no exposed wires to worry about damaging with carelessly crammed gear.

Venture’s Jura delivers as promised. This is a boat that fits a wide range of paddler sizes, styles and experience levels. Even better, it grows with the paddler as style and experience develop.

Happy Feet

The Smart Track foot braces are easily adjusted from a sitting position and combine a solid footrest for strong leg drive, with a user-friendly toe pedal for steering the Skudder.

Hide-a-Skudder

Part skeg, part rudder. The best of both worlds in one tough and tidy package.

The Secret Door

The Skudder’s control mechanism is covered for safe transportation, and accessible for easy cleaning and maintenance.

This article first appeared in the Early Summer 2014 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine.  Subscribe to Paddling Magazine and get 25 years of digital magazine archives including our legacy titles: Rapid, Adventure Kayak and Canoeroots.