Re: [Paddlewise] Speed and short boats

From: Dan Hagen <dan_at_hagen.net>
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 21:15:01 -0700
John Lull wrote:

> Anyway, a longer boat with substantial rocker would probably
> have a greater tendency to weathervane.  

I haven't had a problem with this (but then again I pay close
attention to the boat's trim).

> Also it wouldn't be as easy to turn around in a tight spot 
> between rocks or in a sea cave.  

This is true to some extent. While I can very nearly spin my boat 
within its length, a shorter boat would require even less room. I have 
paddled my long boat in rock gardens, surge channels, and sea caves 
along the west coast. There have been times when less length would 
have been preferable (in very tight spots), but the most important 
attributes for this type of play are maneuverability and 
responsiveness, which do not require a short boat.   

> I'm just curious why boat designers aren't interested in this 
> style of kayak.

I don't think that the problem lies with designers. As the comments
of designers on this list have made clear, the problem lies with the
perception among manufacturers that there is very little demand 
for boats of this type. 

Dan Hagen
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************
Received on Tue Oct 13 1998 - 21:20:41 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:00 PDT