At 08:14 AM 27-03-98 -0800, Dan Hagen wrote: ...snipped... >First, you state (as though it were fact) that the Caribou is "very >difficult in winds". The correct statement is that the Caribou is >difficult *for some paddlers* to handle in the wind. While I have read >reports that some folks have difficulty controlling the Caribou in >winds, I can only conclude that this is because they have not developed >the requisite skills. ...snipped... In the discussion of whether a kayak "needs" a rudder/skeg or not, certainly, as many have pointed out, design of the kayak is of first importance. Second, skill of the paddler is paramount, and a paddler who requires a rudder/skeg one year, may not need it as there skills improve. But there is a third issue which many seem to forget; we all know of kayaks which behave better in tough conditions if they are loaded, but are quite difficult to control when unloaded. Now let's consider something we often forget, which is the weight of the paddler. A paddler in a boat built for the "average kayaker", will likely be paddling a design who's intended operator is presumed to be around 160-200 pounds. This kayak will handle optimally with a paddler of this size carrying the usual paraphernalia we so love to bring along. But what happens when the paddler is only 120 pounds? The kayak rides higher than it's intended design, and may be more difficult to handle in the same conditions the 180 pound paddler finds comfortable. So while improving skills will help, if the boat is not at the optimal water line, the paddler is penalized in its handling characteristics. I think it's really important for a paddler to get a kayak properly sized for their weight and intended use...by which I mean do you plan to mostly day-trip, or go camping...so you can paddle at the design's most efficient waterline. This goes for larger/heavier paddlers, too, as they can no doubt attest. I'd like to hear comments from others on this issue, both user's and designers. Leander overfall_at_ix.netcom.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Mar 27 1998 - 17:46:01 PST
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:29:54 PDT