Re: [Paddlewise] stability folding vs. hardshells

I've been lurking around here lately but rarely have time to post anything
even though I would like to. I've found that if I wait a while invariably
someone comes up with what I wanted to say.
Thanks to those who take the time to post.

>PeterO writes:
>I've read that if foldables or hardshells are partially filled with water
>then the sponsons make the foldable more stable.

This seems to be what is confusing those who think internal air chambers are
helping stability because they actually do when the boat is swamped.

>I've not seen significant deformation in the Klepper expedition
>sponson when submerged so not convinced that sponson deformation improves
>stability.
>PeterO

As I see it any deformation of the hull that squeezes or shifts the inflated
tubes upwards would decrease static stability. Those of you who have tried
the (apparently unmentionable here) strap on hull deformities may have
noticed that unless they were pulled tightly down into the water and
restrained from shifting they didn't do much for initial stability. Those
who have tried them should have an experiential understanding of why a
flexible system of buoyancy will have less stability than a fixed one of the
same original dimensions. Stability delayed is stability denied! 8^) (or at
least made secondary).
Archimedes and his student John Winters have it right.

Now for a test. This was written and posted at 4/10 11:30PM Pacific Daylight
Time. Are all posts delayed a few days (or lost altogether) as mine seem to
have been (one was even posted a second time a few days later-- with no
effort on my part). If so why can the answer to one post follow another so
closely. Am I doing something wrong (I'm new at this bulletin board thing).
If so will somebody clue me in.
Matt Broze
matt_at_marinerkayaks.com
www.marinerkayaks.com

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