Re: [Paddlewise] Greenland paddle - Throw-weight

Phil wrote;


(Large snip)

Let's hear from Bruce on this. I am not convinced that Phil hasn't confused
the effect of a heavy paddle on the work he does to support it with the
effect of the heavy paddle on the force required to develop power.

In other words, what is the effect of weight on developing power as opposed
to weight you have to support. I mentioned that heavy paddles were more
work but was not convinced they were less efficient in developing power.
This may seem like splitting hairs but I don't think so since it goes to
the heart of how weight is distributed on the paddle. Suppose we have tow
paddles of equal weight but one has most of its weight in the blades and
the other has most of its weight in the center of the shaft. Which will be
easier to paddle with? Certianly when we wiggle the paddles back and forth
the heavier bladed paddle with take more effort since we have to stop and
start its motion. Is that the case for the more circular motion of the
paddle blade?


Certainly the "feel" Phil felt was real but was the feel really of
increased paddling effort i.e the increased effort to keep teh blades
moving or was it from the added effort to hold the paddle.

Cheers,
John Winters
Redwing Designs
Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft
http://home.ican.net/~735769/Cheers,


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