Harold wrote - >>I agree, but think it should also be noted that Paul's "skeg" was mounted >>at the back of the kayak (kind of slipped over the back point) where, like >>most rudders, it was popping in and out of the water in steep waves that lift >>the ends of the kayak. Though that wasn't the problem he encountered in Australia. >> It should also be noted that Paul's rudder was an >> extremely long one compared with most rudders on kayaks today. Longer than something like the one on the Prijon Seayak which barely touches the water. Not really longer than we fit in New Zealand on production boats. >> His could >> reach the water on steep following seas where most stern mounted rudders >> cannot at that critical time where a broach begins. We aren't actually talking about broaching, we're talking about keeping the kayak in a straight line hour after hour with every stroke a power stroke, no wasted sweep strokes. We're talking about minimal energy for maximum result in all conditions, conditions which aren't necessarily steady, lumpy seas, gusting winds, etc. >> Give me a good drop >> skeg >> mounted further forward from the stern any day (even though many have >> problems of there own I won't go into here). Which is why one of our designers puts his rudders on the side of the kayak. > Unfortunately, his experimentation, as reported in his books, >probably set the proliferation of skegs as a viable kayak trimming devise >back 50 years. Rubbish. One thing he tried very hard to get changed were the sliding steering pedals - he made no impression on the North American industry. How/why do you think his comments would make any difference to skeg development? A rudder can be considered to be a "fully" developed skeg. > Even worse, others have gleefully pointed at Paul's >experience as an argument against true skegs without bothering to research >how they work. Have they? >Peter and Matt are two examples of kayakers who walk the walk. And Paul has gone out there and paddled, don't forget that. Round New Zealand, round Britain, round Japan, round Australia, round the seaboard of Alaska, round New Caledonia, up the coast of Greenland - that's some REAL paddling (in distance terms). Alex . . Alex (Sandy) Ferguson Chemistry Department University of Canterbury New Zealand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue May 09 2000 - 18:44:04 PDT
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