Re: [Paddlewise] Paranoid Paddler+Boats

Basically I mentioned the type of kayak I paddle because I think it is
important that we know what model of boats we are talking about.  Plus I
like to hear about different kayaks and peoples' experiences with them so a
I really appreciate your response.  All kayaks have strengths and
weaknesses.  As you pointed out if you put a dozen different kayaks on the
water and the weather comes up some kayaks are going to track one direction
better than the other.  All of the kayaks will handle the weather a little
differently.  You may have a kayaker that you think is slow but what has
happened is the kayaker has a kayak that does not want to hold the course
the group has chosen.  So this kayaker is having to work very hard not only
to make progess to hold the chosen course.

As you have pointed out you could have 12 kayakers in 12 different kayaks
paddling together in the same weather conditions all having a different
experience because the kayaks each have somewhat different handling
characteristics.  If all paddlers paddled the same and all kayaks handled
the same we would simplify our sport because we would all buy just one of
type of everything because one would fit all.  Wouldn't that be boring :-).
I think some of our discussions come from the fact that we all paddle
different kayaks and thus have different experiences and memories.  Thanks
for the well thought out response.

<Bill>

Brought to you from beautiful Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
N 53°51.140'  W 166°30.228'

----- Original Message -----
From: <NEWTOT_at_mail.modot.state.mo.us>
To: "Bill Bradshaw" <bradshaw_at_arctic.net>
Cc: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2000 5:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paranoid Paddler+Boats


>
>
> Bill,
>
> I find that my Looksha IV is the opposite of my CD Squall - The Looksha is
> pushed around and weathercocks in windy conditions, making it a struggle
to
> maneuver.  I'm not used to this and probably waste a lot of energy keeping
the
> boat pointed towards my destination.  The Squall is rarely bothered by
wind and
> tracks just fine in any direction I want.  It seems that I need a rudder
for the
> easy turning boats rather that the hard tracking ones just to compensate
for
> weather cocking!  I can lean the Squall on edge to turn just fine.  Still
refuse
> to use a rudder to learn about paddling for now.
>
> The problem arises when my wife and I kayak together - when the wind comes
up it
> becomes very difficult, if not impossible to stay close to one another
because
> the boats respond so differently.  It is going to require extra effort on
> somebody's part - either take the "long" way as you suggested, making the
hard
> tracking boat paddle a greater distance, or take the direct route which
makes
> work for the weather cocking boat.  I know paddling skills are a factor
here,
> but you must account for the different styles of boats.
>
> Every "windy" situation I've been in with other paddlers has resulted in a
few
> boats getting separated and taking the long route to lessen the battle
with the
> wind.  I don't like this as it separates the group when a rescue may be
> necessary.
>
> This brings up a factor that has not been mentioned assembling group
paddles -
> The Boats!  What about the people who show up with a 12 foot hybrid on a
large
> lake or ocean???



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