Larry Bliven wrote: > > << I had the opportunity to test out my skills in some difficult conditions > this Sunday... winds were 27 knots with frequent gusts that reached 37 > knots (according to a local measurement station). >> > > to which, TomCkayak wrote: > > I have paddled down wind in these conditions but a ture 27 knot wind will > stop > you dead and a ture 37 knots can push you backwards. > *************************************************************************** > > i have paddled a solo canoe on tidal rivers with flat shorelines. in that > boat, 27 kt stops me and 37 kt pushes me backwards. In a cross wind > situation, 42 kt gusts kick me and the boat sideways about a foot per > gust....winds from *local measurement station* A canoe puts you too high up, even if kneeling, for effective paddling against wind. I have been in a situation with me in a K-Light alongside AMC canoe instructor/leaders in their canoes while paddling into 20 knot winds. They were stymied while I just doddled or paddled leisurely circles around them in order to stay back with them. > > *local measurement station* winds can be unrepresentative of paddle site > conditions. particularly when one is longer fetch open water and the other > is a tidal river or marsh. There is a saying that applies to the strength of winds and the size of waves. In later telling about them, they grow in direct proportion to the time elapsed since you paddled in them. Not to say that Greg H. was wrong. I suspect that the winds were indeed in the range he stated; his Khatsalano-paddling buddy has a reputation for getting maniacally gleeful when a hurricane is blowing up the East Coast. To him, 27 kt. winds are the push of air made by closing of a door. > the choice of hats is critical for high wind paddling... Am I the only paddler who tethers his hat? I always do in addition to making certain it is a hat that fits well enough to stay on its own. Kind of like wearing suspenders and a belt at the same time. For years I used a hat tether with roach clips on each end, one to attach to my baseball cap the other to the PFD. The last thing I've wanted is to be paddling into wind, lose the cap, have to double back and then buck the wind all over again to make up the lost ground. Those tether clips have pretty much given up all their spring, but in the last year or two Croakies has come out with a much better one with beefier clips that are not like the roach ones but more akin to the type on suspenders. I highly recommend these. About $5 or so. BTW, I also tether my paddle, whistle, knife, flare kit, VHF radio, insert pocket (something I've inserted into to the smallish second pocket in my Lotus Strait Jacket in order to carry more emergency stuff), pee bottle, pump, paddle float, and I suspect more things too. I look like a Cockney peddler rather than a correct paddler. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Mar 10 1999 - 07:11:30 PST
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