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From: John Winters <735769_at_ican.net> subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddling efficiency (was: Rudders) Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 07:55:40 -0500 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:48 PDT

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/

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