I read several of the arguments back and forth regarding boat design vs. stroke technique, etc. I don't think it's possible to put percentage points on technique vs. design; the variables are too complex. The bottom line is you need good technique and the best design to suit your purposes. Now on to my pet observation on kayak design: For years I've been paddling a Mariner Coaster. It is 13' 6" long, 23" max. beam, has partial hard chines, a relatively low volume stern, fairly pronounced keel at the stern, with the seat aft of center. I'm not a boat designer, but all these characteristics somehow add up to a boat that is maneuverable, yet tracks well with plenty of hull speed (in spite of the short length), and best of all it does not weathervane or fall off the wind so it doesn't need a rudder. The result is a highly versatile kayak that handles best in rough conditions (including storm seas), ocean rock gardens, and surf. I have also been able to take trips up to 10 days; the gear fits in nicely without bulkheads in the way (I'll leave the bulkhead issue alone, for now). Anyway, my question to the boat designers is this: Why, with all the hundreds of 16 to 18 ft. sea kayak designs are there so few short sea kayaks (13 to 14 ft.) similar to the Coaster and none that really compare favorably to the Coaster? Are the Brose brothers really the only boat designers who can do it? In case you are wondering why I like the shorter length, come on out to northern California and paddle in the rocks along the coast and you'll see why. John Lull *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> Anyway, my question to the boat designers is this: Why, with all the hundreds of 16 to 18 ft. sea kayak designs are there so few short sea kayaks (13 to 14 ft.) similar to the Coaster and none that really compare favorably to the Coaster? Are the Brose brothers really the only boat designers who can do it? In case you are wondering why I like the shorter length, come on out to northern California and paddle in the rocks along the coast and you'll see why. I'm glad that question is getting asked. A lot of people would be better off in shorter sea kayaks. Easier to carry and manuever on the water. Tend to cruise at 4 knot speeds with less effort than longer boats at that speed. Obviously, their top speeds top off sooner than longer boats but many paddlers should be asking themselves whether they can maintain top effort. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 1:48 PM -0700 10/10/98, John Lull wrote: <snip> >Anyway, my question to the boat designers is this: Why, with all the >hundreds of 16 to 18 ft. sea kayak designs are there so few short sea >kayaks (13 to 14 ft.) similar to the Coaster and none that really compare >favorably to the Coaster? Are the Brose brothers really the only boat >designers who can do it? In case you are wondering why I like the shorter >length, come on out to northern California and paddle in the rocks along >the coast and you'll see why. > I think short boats have a lot of merit. For most of the paddling people actually do, as opposed to what they dream of doing, length is not necessary. And they probably don't need the length for what they dream of doing either. I will say from the purely aesthetic perspective, I like the looks of a long boat better than a short boat, and from a marketing perspective, a good looking boat will get someone to try a design faster than anything else other than price. And as John will note, people think good looking boats perform better than ugly ones. This is not to say shorter boats are ugly, but if a long boat looks better it will sell better. Nick Nick Schade Guillemot Kayaks c/o Newfound Woodworks, 67 Danforth Brook Rd, Bristol, NH 03222 (603) 744-6167 Schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/ >>>>"It's not just Art, It's a Craft!"<<<< *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:52 PDT