Re: [Paddlewise] Paddling in a Straight Line

Consider that most of my experience is in ocean going sailboats, and
a great deal of it short handed or singlehanded.

Operating any vessel that requires constant attention and subtle
application
of skill to keep in control extracts a heavy toll in crew fatigue.
The crew will simply get tired sooner and must stop operation of
the vessel before getting too tired to handle the vessel well.

You trade versatility for endurance, or the other way around.

I personally like boats that have at least one (preferably more) mode
where the boat will take care of itself, and with a little luck me 
also.

For long distance trips, the ability to navigate, eat, cook, relieve
oneself without the need to be overly attentive to the boat is
required.

When crossing an ocean, crew fatigue is often the greatist risk factor.
Tired people do dumb things, so anything that the vessel can do to
make life easier for the crew will nearly always make the trip safer.

I will not sail a Laser across an ocean, nor will I sail a 30' ocean
going trimaran down a whitewater river.

Develop your skills, but pick a boat for the task at hand.

michael

dkruger_at_pacifier.com wrote:
> 
> Lightning Paddles' web site
> (http://www.paddles.com/library/straight.html) has an interesting
> treatise by Clark Bowlen entitled "Paddling a Sea Kayak in a Straight
> Line --Straight Talk".  Food for thought.

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************