Re: [Paddlewise] "Training Wheels" on ultra-narrow surf ski?

On Sun, 18 Jun 2000, (Pete Cresswell) wrote:

> - 20" is reasonable to balance,  17" is quite difficult, perhaps at the limit of
> what's possible

I don't know about that.  I normally paddle a 17" beam surf ski and was 
fairly comfortable on a 15" beam 13.5" waterline surf ski (a Mako) a 
couple of weeks ago.  Comfortable enough to be considering the Mako as
my next boat.  I'm comfortable enough on my current surf ski to be able
to sit in it, with my feet in the footwells, without a having a paddle for 
bracing.

> Why not have a hull that's only, say 15" wide at the water line, but flares
> sufficiently around the cockpit to provide a sponson effect if/when leaned?

Have you tried the Current Design speedster?  That boat is tippy when upright
and pretty stable, when you lay it on it's side.  I can lean it enough
to get a knee wet, with my feet in the footwells, without needing to brace.

kirk
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