RE: [Paddlewise] surf skis?

I had the impression that surf skis were invented to aid in surf rescues in
Hawaii.
Am I wrong?
Barbara

At 12:16 AM 12/24/98 -0800, Mattson, Timothy G wrote:
> 
>Julio,
>
>I'm looking forward to the discussion that will be generated by your
>questions about surf skis.  I don't have a definition for a surf ski. I've
>only seen sit on tops called surf skis. 
>
>As your post suggested, the key is to get the waterline length to the width
>ratio as high as possible.  An interesting web site to check out on this
>issue is the sound rowers boat classification web site.  The URL is:
>
>    www.accessone.com/~traci/SoundRowers/yakclass.html
>
>They define three classes of kayak based on this ratio: sea kayak (less than
>9.25), fast sea  kayak (between 9.25 and 10.99), and high performance kayak
>(greater than 10.99).  All the surf skis I'm aware of are considered high
>performance kayaks with ratios typically between 12 and 14.  
>
>There are some decked kayaks that fall in the high performance kayak class.
>For example, a famous decked kayak in the northwest racing scene is the
>Sissuou Evolution (affectionatly known up here as "orange crush").  The
>boat's waterline length to the width ratio is greater than 12! 
>
>As for rudders, my experience is that these boats really need the rudders.
>Yes, a skilled paddler can control the boat without the rudder, but the goal
>for surf skis and other high performance kayaks is speed.  If you want the
>ultimate speed, you want to use a wing paddle.  A wing paddle is great for
>forward strokes, but is not too good at correction strokes -- hence the
>rudder is quite useful.  Even without the wing paddle, the rudder is useful
>since it can replace some correction strokes and let the paddler's energy
>focus on the forwared stroke.
>
>As for surf, I can't imagine using a surf ski in breaking surf.  I suspect
>their lack of maneuverability would be difficult and that they would tend to
>broach in the breaking wave.  They are great, however, for surfing swells.
>
>Finally, a comment on your greenland kayak.  I don't know if it would be
>considered a surf ski, but its waterline length to the width ratio would be
>around 12 which would make it a high performance kayak.
>
>--Tim
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Julio MacWilliams
>To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
>Sent: 12/23/98 10:05 PM
>Subject: [Paddlewise] surf skis?
>
>Could anyone please define what is a surf ski?
>
>Are those long 19feet x 18inch rockets really used in surf?
>
>Are they all open deck? Or does a long and narrow closed deck
>kayak qualify?
>
>Do they all have rudders? Is that necessary/desirable?
>
>Can a 18feet x 19inch Greenland kayak be considered a 
>surf ski? If not, what does it need?
>
>thanks!
>
>- Julio
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