Re: [Paddlewise] Sea Kayaker Reviews

Matt wrote:

(SNIP)

> >
> I think the original reason for using only initials was to keep us
> manufacturers from knowing who to bribe. For instance know that I just
found
> out Kevin is a Sea Kayaker tester I'd better start treating him better.

Hmmm. I guess I cut off my nose to spite my face on that one. :-)


(SNIP)

>
> My experience is that I get a wider variation in turning times on retests
I
> have done on plastic kayaks. The one I discussed was startlingly
different.
> Most of the characteristics written about (pounding, wetness of ride,
> leaking hatches, sticking rudder pedals, etc. etc) will be pretty much the
> same even though the rocker changes some between boats and affects
tracking,
> turning and probably weathercocking. This variability is also not very
> widely known among kayakers and I certainly don't have the data to say
that
> all plastic kayaks are variable (only that some of them are in relation to
> the repeatability of turning times and I haven't seen that in glass
kayaks).

I agree with Matt on the variability of Poly kayaks. While trying to develop
KAPER I could not find two poly kayaks of the same model that did not have
remarkably differnet hull shapes.
.
(SNIP)

> Finally, I have been meaning to ask John Winters what his suggestions were
> for objective tests that Sea Kayaker should do. It would be a lot easier
for
> us readers to judge their value to us and if they were practical and
> relevant if we knew what he actually proposed.

I will send these along as soon as I get enough time to convert the files
etc. Not sure what to do about the drawings as I don't think we can send
them on the list. Anyone in a hurry will find the tests in my book "The
Shape of the Canoe" under the chapter on boat testing.

Cheers,

John Winters
Redwing Designs
Web site address http://home.ican.net/~735769



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