Re: [Paddlewise] Chines

Joshua Teitelbaum wrote:
> 
> Question:
> 
> I have seen boats described as having a "hard chine."  Can someone define
> this for me?

  The chine is the area of a boat where the bottom of the boat meets the
side.  A hard chine is a distinct meeting of planes at this point as
opposed to a soft chine being a curve.  Chine is pronounced in English
with a long "i" sound - (as you correctly surmised in your "Chin(a)
example).  I don't think that it can be categorically stated that hard
chines give greater secondary stability - too many variables all combine
together to affect stability.  I'm sure by this time you've seen some of
the fascinating Winters/Broze discussions on areas of kayak design here
on PW....  If kayak design were a science there would be about 5 or 6
basic sea kayak types (with a range of sizes).  Remember also that a
hard chine doesn't necessarily run the full length of the boat - poke
around on http://www.marinerkayaks.com and you'll see what I'm talking
about.
  If you're looking for a generalisation about hard chines it might be
that boats with hard chines turn more easily when committed to the turn
with a lean than a simlarly designed boat with soft chines......then
again, I hate generalisations because they tend to be inaccurate<grin>.

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska

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