RE: [Paddlewise] Glassy water

This risks wandering far afield from paddling, but many years ago I lived next door to unlimited hydroplane racer Bob Gilliam (Fascination, Hilton Hyperlube, Tri-City Sun et al).  He felt the fastest performance for the big boats was when the water had scattered whitecaps.  No whitecaps--sluggish race.  All whitecaps--quick & dangerous.  Of course, when those monstrosities were on the water, calm conditions didn't last long!  Interesting that paddlers and racing boat drivers can share a perception.  

(The race I remember best didn't involve Bob winning.  In the first qualifying heat he turned in an amazing performance, beating Budweiser and Bardahl.  In the second qualifier he kicked butt again.  Preparing for the final heat, a new guy was assigned to replace all the spark plugs.  The guy finished the job.  We watched on TV as Bob started the boat -- and it stalled.  When the time came to move the boats out he was still stalled.  Turns out the new guy had installed the spark plugs by hand, never tightened them, and put the wires on.  They all blew out, stripping the holes.  That never happens in a kayak race.  Never trust technology, or a new guy in the pits.)

jerry.




At 09:41 AM 06/19/2000 +1000, Whyte, David wrote:
>Yes I have felt that affect when paddling on completely smooth water and
>feeling like I am going slower and would be interested to know if its an
>illusion or real. I was wondering if the smooth water has more suction. I
>know sea planes often can't take off in dead flat water and they taxi around
>for a while causing waves otherwise the suction on their floats makes it
>difficult to leave the water.
>
>David
>Canberra, Australia
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From:	Bob Klemick [SMTP:klemick_at_home.com]
>> Sent:	Monday, 19 June 2000 5:36
>> To:	Paddlewise
>> Subject:	[Paddlewise] Glassy water
>> 
>> For the first time in my limited paddling endeavors I came across water
>> as smooth as glass. First, it was momentarily disorientating going from
>> a rippling effect to glass, but even more disturbing, it felt like I was
>> paddling through jello and it seemed I slowed quite a bit. For you
>> hydrologists out there was it my imagination or did the situation become
>> more sluggish. It seems rougher water is faster or gives the illusion of
>> being faster. Thoughts anyone??...............bob klemick
>> 
>> 
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