Hi Michael and All, > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net > [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of Michael Daly > From: "Larry Bliven" <foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net> > > > i wondered why a fine boat needed a skeg > > While I can't claim to be up to date on the topic, twenty > years ago, when I was an aerospace engineer, variable > shapes in aircraft was a hot research topic. Wings were > being experimented with that could change camber > and such without resorting to leading edge devices, > flaps etc. The entire wing section was flexible so that > actuators could reshape the wing on the fly, just like > a bird can do. > > It seems to me that a variable-shape kayak would be a fine > thing. To be able to change from a long fast cruiser to a > rockered playboat as conditions change would be great. > A skeg is just, IMNSHO, a step in that direction. Skeg > up - take advantage of the rocker. Skeg down - get better > tracking. I believe Bill Masters played with this idea some. I think he even patented a design. I never saw the craft or it's mechanism though. Cheers, -- Rob Cookson "I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the Atmosphere." Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Abigail Adams, February 22, 1787. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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