I usually explain paddle flutter to customers as the "falling leaf effect" rather than "alternate vortex shedding". Most have seen how a falling leaf reacts to a force (gravity) in a fluid (air). One thing no one mentioned was that in general the narrower the paddle blade the higher the flutter rate. I find a high rate of flutter unacceptable because one never knows where the paddle blade is going to be if it is fluttering too fast. Some blades certainly flutter less than others and some paddles are harder to control (the flutter) because of things like round (non-ovalled) grips, too narrow a shaft, and/or too much distance to the blade from your hand. I find that using a "wing paddle" type paddle stroke (sliding the blade out to the side as the stroke progresses) virtually eliminates paddle flutter even on hard accelerating strokes. Yes, one can control it by gripping the paddle tighter and working against its direction (if it is slow enough) but why waste the effort. I'd rather hold the paddle looser and not fight the flutter if it is relatively slow. Maybe there is even a "lift" effect gained by flutter. Paddlewiser Peter Chopelas might be able to enlighten us about this. However, he may be busy right now fighting a new and dangerous virus his computer sent to mine (one with a hidden attachment that automatically takes one to the open attachment screen--which then might easily be accidentally opened if the e-mail comes in while one is typing away at another e-mail and activates the default choice--as has happened to me several times recently causing me to have to retype whole passages). I tried to warn him about the virus but the e-mail I replied with bounced back to me. Perhaps he will see this. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** 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 Dec 04 2001 - 06:05:41 PST
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