Re: [Paddlewise] What Kayak to Buy?

Geo. Bergeron wrote:

>         What he left out is that fiberglass hull shapes are MUCH faster and
> easier to paddle because they can assume a more streamlined shape than
> roto-molded plastic. I traded my plastic Sea Lion for a glass boat because
> the glass boat handles the "gnarly" water and difficult conditions better
> than plastic. . . and it's much faster on the water.

That's the theory I hear a lot - along with, "plastic is slower cause energy is
used to flex the hull."  Does anyone know if it has been tested? And if so, how
much faster is MUCH faster?  Say, for example, what is the resistance
difference between a Current Designs Solstice (glass), and the plastic version
of that, the Storm?  Is the glass twice as fast?  10% faster?  3% faster?  Is
it possible that the difference people feel between their old plastic boat and
their new glass boat is due to the fact that they happened to have a slow hull
design in the plastic and now have a fast hull design in the glass?  Perhaps
because when they bought the plastic, initial stability felt more important,
and now with improved skills other things feel more important?




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