Regarding John Winter's reply to Michael's list of the advantages of a traditional-style paddle (high aspect ratio blades, wood, etc.). . . . Michael wrote (as an advantage): > > 2. Greater flotation. The classic Greenland style paddle is more buoyant than > > its European kin. Better for bracing and rolling. . . . And John responded: > Not so sure about this unless one restricts the discussion of low aspect ratio > paddles to the thin composite blades. Besides, how much effect does the > buoyancy have on rolling? Could anybody notice it? The buoyancy of a traditional wooden kayak blade is readily felt when rolling. Sure, one could likely roll with it if it were composite (or even steel) , but when you roll with a wooden blade, you can really let the buoyancy of the blade do most of the work, allowing for a graceful roll and recovery. The buoyancy increases the ability to balance the kayak as well, whether the paddle is static or sculling slowly. I'm certain I'm not the only one who has noticed this fact. Furthermore, a buoyant paddle of the same weight as a non-buoyant paddle will feel lighter when being paddled: As soon as you immerse a blade, the buoyancy is making the paddle lighter. At the end of the stroke, the buoyancy lifts the blade out-- puts a little spring-in-the-step as it were. So many people remark about how heavy carved wooden paddles are-- without sticking them in the water. (It does call to mind the slightly-modified old question: "Which is heavier, a pound of graphite/whatsit composite, or a pound of cedar?" There's weight and then there's buoyancy.) John also wrote: >Also I have no problem with doing both vertical and flat strokes with my low aspect ratio paddle but > wonder how well one can do a vertical sprint style stroke with a high aspect > ratio paddle. Seems like it would prove awkward at best. -- Not sure why this would be awkward at all; Seems to me you can stroke even more vertically if your blade is only 3-1/2" wide instead of 7". Less chance of scraping your hull. All the Best, Harvey Golden www.pacifier.com/~qayaq *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue May 22 2001 - 20:03:03 PDT
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