Hi Kevin, I feel a bit out of place breaking in here as I have never used a rudder, but will you be reducing the waterline length edging the boat in effect equaling the additional effort of the drag from a well adjusted rudder (which I speculate may add to waterline length)? Nobody has mentioned the extra fun of paddling a boat without deploying a skeg or a rudder in adverse conditions- it's more like riding instead of driving. I have sometimes found that efficiency is a suitable sacrifice for developing and experimenting with integrating corrective with propulsive strokes (play)- especially with a slow group or if I am not in a hurry. gabriel gabriel Kevin Whilden wrote: > > On Tue, 25 Sep 2001, Craig MacKinnon wrote: > > > > > A better argument for the Devil's Advocate: rudders can increase forward > > paddling efficiency under certain conditions for many kayak designs, > > allowing one to work smarter rather than harder by devoting more energy to > > forward strokes versus corrective strokes--something paddlers of all skill > > and fitness levels appreciate. > > > > Craig > > > > I actually disagree with that rudders always increase forward paddling > efficiency. I control my boat's direction with slight edging, not > corrective strokes, and thus a rudder would only add drag. I have heard > that rudders can add up to 20% drag, but that is only hearsay. Perhaps > Matt Broze has some definite numbers. However I have definitely noticed > drag from rudders in boats I have tested, and also on skegs for that > matter. I still think that if the boat is balanced and well behaved, then > an expert paddler would not gain much benefit from the rudder, and this > might even be offset by the drag. > > Kevin > >************************** -- ¤ Gabriel L Romeu ¤ http://studiofurniture.com + /diary or + /paint *************************************************************************** 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 Sep 25 2001 - 22:28:43 PDT
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