[Paddlewise] FW: Speed Trials

From: John Lull <wavestalker_at_coastside.net>
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 15:56:48 -0700
Jerry Foodman wrote:
I did several 1 nautical mile timed calm water speed trials with each of
various boats.  Here is the average of my best two speeds for each boat:

Mariner Coaster:  4.55 knots
Mariner Express: 4.70 knots
Necky Tesla: 4.82 knots
Seda Glider: 4.99 knots
Seda Impulse: 5.05 knots
CD Solstice GTS: 5.16 knots

As you can see, I have only mediocre strength.  I know that the faster boats
can be driven by a racer considerably faster than 5 knots over longer than
my 1 nm.  I would be interested if any stronger paddler has made similar
timed comparisons.

I found that my sense of which boat was fastest had no relation to the
actual timed data.  I will never use a demo day trial to conclude that a
boat is fast.  I believe that at 4 knots and below there is not a dime's
worth of difference in the efficiency of these boats, but I don't know how
to test this.

Jerry

These were flat water time trials, which do give you an idea of relative boat speed.  However, I've found that in wind and waves, the whole thing changes.  I've been on the water in moderately rough conditions many times when several Coasters were well out in front of the longer boats.

John



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Received on Sun Oct 11 1998 - 16:06:21 PDT

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