From: "Kirk Olsen" <kolsen_at_imaginelan.com> > At 10:36 AM 12/28/01 -0500, Nick Schade wrote: > > Instead of working off the theory of increasing the beam to improve stability this would > add "ballast" to each side of the hull. Neat idea. Along those lines, why not a deployable weighted keel? Get a long, light tube along the keel (perhaps inside a channel which would have the side effect of stiffening the hull longitudinally) that is hinged at one end and with a heavy, compact weight at the other (depleted uranium, anyone?). The weight and tube could be teardrop shaped for minimum drag when deployed. If the weight is blade-like, it would provide dynamic damping to rolling moments as well. When the paddler is in the water, s/he releases the tube, which swings down and locks into place. Leaving it down would provide stability after re-entry. If the lock yields a bit, it would handle impact, like rudder blades and skeg. There's a definite downside: seaweed. And currents. And shallow water. 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 Fri Dec 28 2001 - 15:01:34 PST
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