Re: [Paddlewise] Tracking thoughts

Gerald Foodman wrote:

Flat Water Day:
> You paddle rudderless boats, Blue and Red, on a flat water demo day.  Blue
> is easily turned, while you have to lean and sweep hard to get Red to turn.
> You conclude Red tracks better than Blue.

Bay Day:
> You paddle both again in an enclosed bay, with the wind howling at 20 to 30
> knots, but only 1 foot wind chop because of the protection.  Now you have to
> work like hell to keep Red from weathercocking (or lee cocking).  Blue is
> easy to hold on any heading with a few easy leans and sweeps.  You conclude
> Blue tracks better than Red.

Confused Day:
> You paddle both again in 10 knots of wind but in confused following seas due
> to tidal current and a moderate rip.  Every shift in wave direction rotates
> Blue back and forth through 45 deg.  You have to be instantaneously on top
> of your leans and sweeps to keep on top of direction holding.  But it is
> fairly easy to quickly get back on course.  Red requires much less attention
> but when it does get knocked off course it is much harder to get it
> corrected.  You don't know what the heck to conclude about tracking.

Couple questions, Jerry:

Actual boats?  (Please do not tell us the name, model, or manufacturer!)

Loaded the same, each trip?

Does Red have more "vee" in the hull?

Does Blue have markedly greater rocker?

Re:  Bay Day:  I assume you mean Red was consistently weathercocking (say),
and not first weathercocking and then leecocking, yes?  If so, any effects
from changing the fore-aft trim?

Interesting comparisons.  Sure is making me think.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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