Re: [Paddlewise] Advantages of the high aspect ratio paddle?

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001 20:16:13 -0400
From: "Greg Stamer" <gstamer_at_magicnet.net>


> There was an interesting article in either Anorak or an Eastern club
> newsletter about ten years ago, where the author (Nel ?) measured the
> buoyancy of a number of wood paddles, by suspending weights from the center
> of the paddle shafts, in a swimming pool. The measured buoyancy of the
> Greenland paddles surprised the author. 

Theory time!

Volume of a two by four that's seven feet long = 1.5x3.375x12x7 = 425 cu.in
Let's say 40% of the wood is left after carving = 170 cu.in.  = 2.77 liters
=2.77 kg = 6.1 lb of water displaced.  Subtract from that the weight of the 
paddle.   So around, idunno, 4 - 4.5 lbs (note: fully submerged)?  That's _not_ 
a trivial force, but it ain't an inflated paddle float either.

I find it amazing that somewhat less than that is used to provide stability by
jamming the end of the blade under the deck lines.  It's very well documented 
so I gotta try it and see.*

Mike

*going to a wedding this weekend.  Maybe I should take the unfinished storm paddle,
some sandpaper etc and get going on it.  Think anyone would notice?

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Received on Thu May 24 2001 - 17:14:10 PDT

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