Re: [Paddlewise] Paul Caffyn and the Skeg vs. Rudder Holy War

From: Alex Ferguson <a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz>
Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 09:05:19 +1200
At 01:33 pm 9/05/00 -0500, you wrote:
>How recent was his article?

I think I've seen this article quite a while back.

>  My understanding is that he
>first explored the skeg vs. rudder option during is
>circumnavigation of Australia.

All the trips round New Zealand were with a "slip-on" skeg.

>The skeg was the so called
>integral-skeg on his Nordkapp HM which was just a big fin
>shaped keel built into the hull design for the rear 1/3 of
>the boat,

True and this is what has been particially cut off and rudder fitted.

(I was ducking under this boat and all his others on the way to the toilet
a couple of weeks ago).

>Perhaps Paul would be less inclined to paddle with a rudder
>if he had tryed the adjustable skegs, perhaps not.

The article as I read it is in response to those who say you are not a sea
kayaker if you have a rudder. Yes, it is preferences (to some extent) and
that the rudder option is very viable.


>Just
>because one expert paddler prefers one way of paddling does
>not make it the right way.  

No.

>I personally don't feel
>the need for some experts endorsement of my preference in
>kayak style.

But there are some people who do.

Alex
.
.
Alex (Sandy) Ferguson
Chemistry Department
University of Canterbury
New Zealand
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Received on Tue May 09 2000 - 14:06:37 PDT

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