Re: [Paddlewise] Paul Caffyn's article

In a message dated 5/9/00 6:45:13 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz writes:


> Harold wrote -

Thanks for your reply Alex, but for clarity, I only wrote a small amount of 
what you responded to.  Please don't credit me with the statements that I 
quoted from Peter and Matt.

>  Harold
>  > Unfortunately, his experimentation, as reported in his books, 
>  >probably set the proliferation of skegs as a viable kayak trimming devise 
>  >back 50 years.

>  Alex
>  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?

I think it is much harder to get someone in production to change something 
than it is to persuade them to keep on with the status quo.  Persuading the 
industry to produce boats with skegs or to change to non-sliding rudder 
controls are both examples of diverting from the status quo.  Both 
manufacturers and those in the market will shy away from anything that is 
unestablished and controversial.  All I'm saying is that Paul used a design 
that is nothing like the well-designed and configured skegs of many Brit, CD 
or WS offerings (among others).

>  Alex
>  A rudder can be considered to be a "fully" developed skeg.

Guess it depends on your viewpoint.  To me they are two different animals 
trying to accomplish two different things.  Both can get the job done, but 
they are way different.  Thinking that one is an expression of the other will 
result in bad designs of both. 

>  Harold
>  > Even worse, others have gleefully pointed at Paul's 
>  >experience as an argument against true skegs without bothering to 
research 
>  >how they work.

>  Alex
>  Have they?

Sorry I can't point you to examples, but Yes.  I have seen this 
misinformation in many places.  Again, all I'm saying is that we should try 
to fully research and understand the cause and effect relationship of  
systems like rudders and skegs before spreading the holy word. 

>  Harold
>  >Peter and Matt are two examples of kayakers who walk the walk.

>  Alex
>  And Paul has gone out there and paddled, don't forget that.

He has paddled and he has contributed a great deal to kayaking -- as has 
Matt.  I'm sorry if you misunderstood me.  There are those who "talk the 
talk" and then there are those who "walk the walk".  The former indicates 
someone who works only on theory, the latter statement means the person gets 
out there and does what he says.  Its a compliment, as I meant it for Peter 
and Matt.

Both rudders and skegs can be considered usable tools to be carried in the 
back of your kayak and used when conditions warrant, to contribute an added 
bit of control to your craft or to reduce overall energy output.  I won't try 
to support a holy war on the subject as I believe it is up to the individual 
to select one, the other or none of the above.  I do come quickly to the 
defense of skegs only because they are my choice, and they are not offered on 
many of the boats that I might otherwise select or recommend.  I would like 
to see all kayaks offered bare or with skeg or rudder as a choice.   
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