An interesting observation..

So while paddling today, I was noticing my speed in slight turns.
Not spin around a bouy on full lock stuff, but turns that are enough that you can feel the rudder slow the boat and you can see the speed on the GPS drop.

So then I tried the same turns without the rudder, just steering with the paddle, and it was faster!

In the end, a combination of a tiny bit of rudder and paddle steering strokes was simply the best.

I wonder how many intuitively do this, and how many just use the rudder?

This is the first boat that I have had a rudder on and when I first got it, I really struggled to stop myself steering with the paddle and using the rudder as I thought it was meant to be more efficient.

Do you mean J-strokes, paddling harder on one side or paddling backwards on 1 side? And what boat are you paddling. I would think most people just use the rudder.

I came to ski paddling from sea kayak and whitewater. Now paddling a Legend which has a very distinct hard chine and just enough shape that offside "edging" with fwd speed create some turning moment. Been playing with this a bunch lately and finding good results in lumpy water timing stroke rising on a crest with some edge.(also been doing a little swimming eh ! ). Rounder skis (ie mako 6) don't seem as "turny" (turn of course being a relative term). Still need the rudder but not quite as much.

Bet that V8 would really respond well to edging ! Just remember edging DOES NOT mean lean !