Sisson Kayaks - Makers of handcrafted custom kayaks including multi-sport and sea kayaks.

Footrest Information

There are many different types of footrest adoptions that can be used to control a rudder. In our shorter wider boats we fit a tiller bar pivoted in the middle. We call this a ‘bulldozer’ bar because it works like the steering on a bulldozer. In the sleeker boats we fit Olympic class K1 type ‘Tiller Bar’ as standard.

Some paddlers prefer the ‘Keepers’ type footrest fitted with Rapid Flow pedals. That’s cool with us because we support that option.

Whatever your personal choice may be, you can now select it on the Order Form (above) when you order your kayak and we will fit your boat with the footrest type that you prefer.

Kayak	Standard Footrest	Optional Footrest
Esprit	Bulldozer bar	OZO with Footflap
Eliminator	Bulldozer bar	OZO with Footflap
Pepin	Bulldozer bar	OZO with Footflap
Astrolab	Bulldozer bar	OZO with Footflap
Nordkapp	Bulldozer bar	OZO with Footflap
Arctic Raider	Bulldozer bar	OZO with Footflap
Nucleus 60	Tillerbar	OZO with Footflap, Footflap on bar
Nucleus 80	Tillerbar	OZO with Footflap, Footflap on bar
Nucleus 100	Tillerbar	OZO with Footflap, Footflap on bar
Defender	Tillerbar	OZO with Footflap, Footflap on bar
Evolution Edge	Tillerbar	OZO with Footflap, Footflap on bar
Evolution Classic	Tillerbar	OZO with Footflap, Footflap on bar
Evolution Extreme	Tillerbar	OZO with Footflap, Footflap on bar
Southern Light	OZO (bow), OZO with footflap (stern)	no options
Voyager	OZO with footflap (stern) OZO (bow)	no options

Advantages and
Disadvantages

		Bulldozer Bar Very light and very strong Acts like a miners ‘pit-prop’. Improves compressive strength of hull / deck. Discourages loaning the kayak to others Adjustment is always set to users preference Long life 100% metal construction Positive rudder control from swivel bar mounted over footrest Accepts a foot pump option upgrade Some involuntary rudder movement possible Works reasonably well with running shoes
		Tillerbar Very light and very strong Acts like a miners ‘pit-prop’. Improves compressive strength of hull /deck Discourages loaning the kayak to others Adjustment is always set to users preference Long life 100% metal construction No involuntary rudder movement Accepts a foot pump option upgrade Works exceptionally well with running shoes
		Footflap on bar for racing kayaks only Light and very strong Acts like a miners ‘pit-prop’. Improves compressive strength of hull / deck. Discourages loaning the kayak to others Adjustment is always set to users preference Long life 100% metal construction Toe control of rudder Accepts a foot pump option upgrade Needs careful setting up to prevent involuntary rudder movement Room for a footrest bar pump
		OZO with footflap (one side shown) Heavier all-plastic construction Weakens rather than strengthens the hull Flexi mounting on thin racing hulls Involuntary rudder control likely. Adjustment can be jammed with sand. Does not accept a foot pump option Easy adjustment (if free of sand) for one kayak shared by several paddlers.
		OZO (one side shown) Works well as an easily adjusted front footrest in the front of Southern Light or Voyager doubles. Does not accept a foot pump option