Re: [Paddlewise] Group Paddling - A warning

In a message dated 4/8/99 9:46:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes:

<<  I am not sure how you distinguish kayaks and boats. . . . >> 

A bit snobbishly actually.  If its big enough to row or has an aspect ratio 
beyond some undefined fatness ratio, it might be an Umiak, but not a kayak in 
my stuffy opinion. :-) 
 
 <<Unless you have tried to tip over a folding kayak to experience the 
phenomenon it is hard to believe that it works but it does, to a degree, i.e. 
it ain't really fully like trying to submerge a balloon but rather in that 
direction.  I don't want to exaggerate the claim.  >>

Well, Ralph, I've tested the secondary stability of most all the Feathercraft 
(if that counts).  And yes, when they are sponson equipped, they have *big* 
secondary stability, at times even an annoying amount (that "training wheel" 
feeling) when taking steep wakes or surf from the side.  But, disregarding 
the feeling of the soft sides, I still don't see or feel any real difference 
between their sudden high secondary stability and that supplied by a rigid 
boat with a similar extreme flare located above the waterline (such as the WS 
Rascal, Manteo, Pungo series).  Is there a difference between pushing a 
balloon under water and submerging a glass net float or other rigid sphere of 
the same size?  Does deformation of the skin and resultant redistribution of 
the buoyancy contribute something?  At one time in the dark history of the 
flame wars, some forgotten figure claimed miraculous safety gains could be 
obtained with *any* boat of any shape or construction by strapping sp*ns*ns 
on the outside of the craft.  What is different here?  Curious minds want to 
know. :-)

I'd truly like to believe that there is some magic or science there that I 
don't see, because I really do love skin boats.  But my reason and my butt 
both tell me there is no magic.  Perhaps you can describe the effect you 
claim in a manner by gray cells will accept.  BTW, has there ever been any 
test conducted to try to document this?  

Thanks for your input,

Harold

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