Kirk wrote; : > >> The B&G Speed boss measures.... > >Cool, how heavy, and how much do they cost? > >Is it riggable so it doesn't interfere with paddling a tandem canoe >or sea kayak? Weighs about a pound and costs about $800 U.S. Unfortunately it isn't very practical for cruising as the stroke counter has to be attached to your paddle all the time. Worse than a tether.:-) Also the impeller is mounted on the bottom and if it is in the proper spot it is vulnerable. If you are still interested I will send the address of the manufacturer. Jerry wrote; >But a key point is that the large paddle stroke, eg., Greg Barton's, is >totally different than the narrow blade stroke, eg., Van Doren's Greenland >style. This is different than for bikes where there is no difference in >stroke for different gears. So the overall efficiency depends both on >paddle design and using the proper technique for that paddle. I don't know that anyone has done much with small blades and a more vertical stroke. Always it seems to be small blades on long shafts (Greenland) or large blades on short shafts (racing and white water) . This is not really a fair comparison. From a purely mechanical standpoint, the stroke closer to the boat wastes less energy (less wasted on turning moment). From a purely biomechanical standpoint the more vertical stroke promotes more body rotation and use of torso muscles while making best use of the arms for maximum push and pull. It would seem to me that one might get best results using a small blade that did not stress muscles an a short paddle with a more upright stroke for greatest efficiency. The Greenland style of stroke may be a product of its length and poor physics. It may work because of the blade size and nothing else. This fits with what Jerry is saying - adjust the stroke to suit the paddle. The big question is, does the stroke control paddle choice or does the paddle choice control stroke? Cheers, John Winters Redwing Designs Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft http://home.ican.net/~735769/ *************************************************************************** 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 Wed Apr 01 1998 - 05:23:38 PST
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