Peter wrote: >For true efficiency, the way I meant it, the "power-in" is >the work rate >(say in Foot-pounds per minute) done by the paddler >necessary to maintain a >given hull speed, the "power-out" is the force required to >overcome the >drag on the hull (in pounds) at a given speed (feet per >minute). Hence the >total units for both would be foot pounds per minute, and >you get a >dimensionless quality when you divide power-out by >power-in, and efficiency >is always going to be a number less than one, or in a >percentage. That is what I meant when I said the low aspect ratio paddle is more efficient for sea kayaking than the high aspect ratio "Traditional" paddles. The low aspect ratio paddle will use less power (fewer calories) traveling the same distance at the same speed. And that is a fact of fluid mechanics, not a theory or an opinion. If you optimize the foil shape and size for a low aspect ratio paddle blade, and developed the optimum stoke mechanics to take advantage of it, and you do the same with a high aspect ratio plan form, the low aspect ratio paddle will consume less power going the same speed. There is no way around it, it is a fact of physics, not my opinion, nor just a theory. A hard fact you can not change. There are complex but very well known scientific reasons for this. I will not bore anyone with the details, but they are available for anyone to look up for themselves. Cheers, John Winters *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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