Re: [Paddlewise] skeg ups

From: Alex Ferguson <a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz>
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 08:56:18 +1300
>I don't mean to be a pedant, but there is a functional differrence
>between skeg and rudder.

OK, but the final result which is what I was "short-circuiting" the
discussion to.....

>...In practice you
>should be able to set the skeg at a certain spot and leave it while you
>paddle the kayak in perfect ballance on a given course.

In theory...

>  With a rudder you do alter the center of lateral
>resistance when you drop the rudder, but  you cannot adjust the CLR over
>a range,  instead you must continually maintain a certain rudder
>position to steer the boat onto it's course.

Given wind = waves, so one "kicks" a little rudder on to redirect the
heading as required (start a heading change), not necessarily leaving a
rudder angle on all the time. Depends on the wind and wave angles and
boat's reaction/amount of weather helm as to whether there will be more
drag from a constant rudder angle or occassional. The skeg is there all the
time. 

The skeg can need "fiddling" with, using one hand while the rudder uses the
otherwise unused feet. AND THERE ARE NO MUSHY pedal conplaints please. Any
complains are your (or the kayak builder's) fault.

Alex
.
.
Alex (Sandy) Ferguson
Chemistry Department
University of Canterbury
New Zealand
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Received on Sun Oct 17 1999 - 12:57:03 PDT

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