Re: [Paddlewise] What is performance anyhow?

From: Dan Hagen <dan_at_hagen.net>
Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 21:53:50 -0700
Nick Schade wrote:
> 
> ...SNIP...
> A high performance may be fast, or manuverable, or easy to roll, or surf
> well, or carry a lot of gear efficiently, or...

Yes, exactly. (I particularly like that "or...".)  The point is that
there are *many* dimensions to performance.  Boats differ according to
their "feel" because they are at different points along these various
dimensions.  Every so often one paddles a design that just feels right,
given one's paddling style and preferences. This was my reaction to
paddling a Caribou.  The boat is so lively and responsive to my paddling
style that it seems to respond to my every thought.   

> 
> Performance, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Usually a "high
> performance" kayak will be optimized for something other than simple
> all-around handling for a novice (which could be defined as a high level of
> performance in its own right).
>  Nick

This says it as well as it can be said.  (And from a designer, no less!)

Dan Hagen
Bellingham, Washington
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Received on Mon May 11 1998 - 22:09:37 PDT

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