Re: [Paddlewise] how do you do that, rudderless?

timbre_at_spiger.com wrote:
> 
> hi all,
> 
> ok, to "edge" in (ha ha) on the rudder/rudderless debate, i'll ask you
> experienced paddlers a "how-to" question.  the hubster and i have faced
> 1--3 foot wind waves with the wind at our back a few times and been
> somewhat dismayed, or at least a little surprised (translation:  "only been
> kayaking 18 mos.") at how our relatively beamy, flat-bottomed  boats
> weathercocked.... or at least were pushed around.  we've kept trying to do
> small corrections and edge to keep the wind at our backs, and garner
> whatever momentum we could off the wavelet crests.... but how, officially,
> DO you do this?  the last time, we only had to go 4 miles or so, but it was
> a longish 4 miles.  we both paddle perception plastic boats. (carolina)

Kathleen, in those boats, I suspect edging will not do much for you.  The flat,
beamy bottoms make achieving the edge difficult without a lot of lean, and then
you will probably be past the "comfort zone" for you in that boat.

To track smartly _downwind_ without weathercocking, consider use of stern
rudder:  paddle held to the rear, blade vertical, and wedge the boat in the
direction you want to go.  (There are more elegant and efficient ways to get
the boat back on track, but this is a good (though sloppy) first choice.) 

Beware:  it is very easy to get the paddle trapped back there so you have to
wedge the "wrong" way to get it back out.  To avoid that, keep the shaft a
couple inches out from the side, so you can rotate the shaft and withdraw it
with out wedging either left or right.

You might consider a little practice in _very small_ surf on a safe beach to
refine your technique before you depend on your skills to handle a long
downwind crossing.

Good luck, and thanks for asking.  I bet your request will generate a lot of
debate!

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************