Re: [Paddlewise] K-Light back from Baja

Karen H. wrote:

> 
> I don't expect to be traveling to the east coast any time soon, Ralph,
> but if you come to the symposium in Washington (Port Townsend, I think)
> I'll bring my boat for your demonstration. In fact, I'll do the assembly
> and let you critique!  ;-)

Well, I have not been out that way for that syposium since 1993.  Maybe
I will come out.

> 
> I have to stick with what I said about the boat being slow and hard to
> control in some of the conditions in which we were paddling.
> technique, but when the wind blows that boat insists on turning right
> into it!
> 
> The boat was incredibly stable, but making headway in a fairly strong
> wind with a good rip current was a real battle when crossing La Partida.
> My guys in the Sealution and Necky Narpa were struggling too, but at
> least they were able to maintain a course and concentrate their efforts
> on paddling. I was literally doing a sweep paddle most of the way across
> (2, 3 or 4 sweeps on the right, one short stroke on left) to keep the
> boat headed in the right direction and maintain some forward momentum.
> It was challenging paddling for everyone, but the pointed bow and
> sleeker design of the Sealution in particular seemed to be the most
> efficient in those conditions.

I think someone better qualified than I like John Winters might comment
on boat design and weathercocking.  But I do know that the first year or
two of paddling I would find myself in the same predicament.  I was in
hardshells but that same zillion strokes on one side to one stroke on
the other side.  It just takes learning how to keep a boat going
straight.

> 
> BTW, I'd be interested in knowing how others control the direction of a
> rudderless boat in similar conditions. Also, any thoughts on the effect
> of deckbags and other gear tied on the deck in regard to wind?

You have probably started a good discussion here.  I find that several
things work for me when a boat wants to turn on me:

1.  Choke up on the paddle with the longest part of the paddle on the
side toward which you are being pulled.  Choking up like that on the
paddle creates a turn in the opposite direction that counterbalances the
tendency of the boat to turn.

2.  Slide one cheek (the kind you sit on not the kind you smile with
:-)) toward the side toward which the boat wants to turn.  This makes
the boat lean on that side and creates a turning movement in the
opposite direction.

3. With every stroke on the side toward which the boat is being pulled,
lean the boat in that direction in the middle of your stroke.  Again
this creates a turn counter to the turning tendency of the boat.

4. Put a little bit more power in the stroke on the side toward which
the boat is being pulled; again this is a sweep that will turn you
slightly away from the boat's pull.

That is the basic set of things to do.  You do them in gradations and in
various mixes.  There are other variations too.  If you do these, you
seldom will have to double or triple up paddle strokes on one side.

I learned these with the Klepper Aerius single which always wanted to
turn into any wind of any magnitude or type.  Great boat for learning
such technique.  I have not found the K-Light at all behaving in this
way.  My current Nautiraid 1 acts somewhat that way though.

ralph diaz
-- 
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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."
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