Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Length

As a sufferer of paddle-elbow and a technologist by trade, I did some 
modeling of the propulsion of a kayak a few years ago.

My little simulation looked for the best speed to joint load ratio.
The results favored:
Smallish blade area;
Short paddle shaft;
Wide-apart hand position;
High cadence;

cprstnc1's formula seems to fit the results of my study in that it keeps the 
paddle on the short side.

To go fast, one might expect that a big paddle stuck firmly in the water (so 
it won't move much) and a really long shaft that allows the paddler to lever 
around the blade and on a long lever arm would propel the boat faster.

Not exactly true.  It does not matter if the paddle blade is small and it 
slips, and you have to make a whole bunch of short strokes.  The boat will go 
just as fast for the same paddler power.

The best analogy is to spin the cranks of a bicycle at high RPM with light 
loads.  Speed times drag is he power required, and you can make the required 
power in many little strokes or in fewer harder ones.  At some point, we run 
out of endurance, strength and blow elbows and wrists.

As a result of the analysis, my paddles are much shorter and smaller.  There 
has been a slow, but steady increase in my speed (looking forward to slightly 
warmer temps to see how much speed has been lost over the winter).

My model does not know about lifting blades and curved strokes that move the 
paddle into undisturbed water.

bob phillips
In SE MI, where the lakes are clear of ice and the air temp this morn is in 
the low 20-s.
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