Re: [Paddlewise] Mariner Kayaks (was: Why does rocker and carving work?)

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001 15:02:05 -0500
From: "Shawn Baker" <shawnkayak_at_yahoo.com>

> >According to Matt, Mariner kayaks turn by being edged alone.  No 
> >initiation required. Something about the asymmetric shape of the hull.
>  
> > Tilt right and the hull turns left and visa versa.  
> 
> They do, they really do!  It's the craziest (but one of the neatest)
> things I've ever felt. 

No discredit to the great folks at Mariner, but I'm a tad amazed that this 
seems to be a unique feature.  Many kayaks do this, including my
Solstice GTH,  the Swift North Sea (JW design),  Pintail and many more.
In fact, this is one of the factors I consider in evaluating a kayak.  For
no particularly great reason, I expect a kayak to do this.  (Note that my
Ellesmere is not particularly great at this.  It will turn with just a lean, but
weakly and a bit of weather will make it go the other way.  So there are
other things I value as well.  It's just that I always test this feature when
trying a kayak.)

The most symmetric hull I tried (that I can think of offhand) is the Caribou S.
It is neither fish-form nor swede form and it had the least distinct turning
behavior I've noted (skeg up, of course).  Edge it without a sweep and it 
could go either way.  With a sweep, it was fine.  

Mike




***************************************************************************
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 - 13:48:31 PST

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:46 PDT