Re: [Paddlewise] Standardized tests for hatch leakage - was - Sea Kayaker Reviews

> This raises the question of adequate strength of boats, again. I would
like
> to know that a boat I am paddling could be fully loaded, then paddled in
> wave conditions in which the boat rises over a steep wave and crashes
down,
> without any risk of boat damage. This seems to me to be a potential
weakness> of doubles, with a longer lever arm to swing and break the boat.
> Objective tests could be devised for stiffness by supporting the boat near
> the ends, loading a defined mass in the cockpit, and measuring distortion.

This kind of "standardization" starts to trouble me at some point.  I think
it's not unlike what happened to the auto industry.  It used to be that
there was a great variety of automobiles out there -- light, fast ones for
the sporty type; heavy, slow ones for the safety type; big ones, little
ones; some built with spartan philosophies for those of us who like to mess
about with cars, etc.  Then came the likes of Ralph Nader and lots of
lawyers and some judges who don't know a damn thing about cars . . . and
before you know it, the automobile industry is permeated with "sameness" and
mandatory safety devices.  I'm certain that within a few years you won't be
able to start any car without the seat belts on all passengers, electronic
contols that won't let you break the speed limit and many other items like
this -- none of which can lawfully be removed.

I realize this is a bit overstating it, but not totally.  Standardized tests
such as a standard that requires that a kayak be able to withstand fully
loading with water etc, as John seems to be suggesting, strikes me as not
all that interesting.  Anyone can look at a boat and determine how strongly
it's built.  I'm not sure I really need a boat that withstand that, not for
the type of paddling I usually do.  I like a light boat.  . . . If I want a
big heavy super-sturdy boat, I'll go to England to buy one <g>.

 Subjectivity is a fact of life.  Even the most sophisticated scientists
will often acknowledge that subjectivity permeates everything (consider the
Heisenberg Principle).  I don't mind a little subjectivity in kayak reviews,
and I don't really favor "standardization" of tests used in reviews.  In
fact, it kind of disturbs me to think that this is a direction we might be
headed in.

Mark


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