Re: [Paddlewise] Dear Dougie (My wooden boat...)

From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 10:28:41 -0500 (EST)
On Thu, 13 Jan 2000, Doug Lloyd wrote:

> I also think a wooden boat should be
> fairly stiff, as stated before. I can't buy into Alex's "lively" kayak
> philosophy.

What about the additional power you need to use to start or stop turning,
lots of unnecessary rotational energy.

I'm fully in favor of ultra stiff boats in flat conditions.
I don't buy the heavier is better argument, unless you need a battering ram.
I'm undecided on a stiff versus a flexible boat in rough conditions, 
I'm leaning toward flexible is better.

One day I paddled with a friend, your basic out and back paddle.  I was 
in my open jaw skin/frame baidarka.  He was in my VCP PinTail.  There was 
a brisk wind which generated 1 to 2 foot waves.  Going downwind, with 
following seas, we paddled at about the same speed.  Going into the waves 
the pintail did a lot of pounding, riding up over one wave and crashing down 
the back.  The baidarka cruised along like the conditions were flat.  I had
to stop regularly to let him catch up.  Anyone done any real tests - e.g.
timings on a fixed course comparing the speed differences in flat versus 
rough conditions for both rigid and flexible boats?  
 
> I've never, never seen a race kayak that was lively.

Quick someone find Doug a slalom whitewater race boat...

kirk
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Received on Fri Jan 14 2000 - 07:15:06 PST

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