Re: [Paddlewise] Klepper spraydecks and rudders

From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 23:29:55 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Poese" <matt_at_sabine.acs.psu.edu>

Matt,

>
> Question 1a is:  where do folks who solo sail an A II like to sit?

It varies.  You can sit in the rear seat or you can have a solo seat that is
about a foot or so in front of that normal rear position.

>
> Question 1b is:  where do folks who solo paddle an A II like to sit?

In solo paddling you really should sit in a position forward of the rear
seat for better trim.  If you are only making a beer run across a small lake
to a general store then you could paddle from the rear seat.  It is not as
efficient as the solo position.

>
> Question 1c is:  does a solo spray deck allow any bow-stern position
>                  flexibility?  Does it need to?

A solo spray deck pretty much puts you in a set position with very little
adjustment fore and aft.
>
> Question 1d is:  am I dreaming if I think I'm going to make a double
>                  spraydeck work for either solo sailing or paddling?

Here is an idea.  If conditions are not too severe, do you paddling and
sailing with the cockpit open with no spraydeck and position yourself
whereever you want in the boat in terms of either the rear seat or slightly
forward.  If conditions are severe then lay down the double spraydeck and
sail or paddle from the rear position.  You can load the front seat area
with some ballast (water jugs) for greater trim.  Spraydecks are too
expensive to have both a solo and a double version although know of people
who have both.
>
>
> When sailing an Aerius II with the Klepper S4 rig, I read in Ralph
> Diaz's great book that the standard Klepper rudder isn't so good.  So,
>
> Question 2a is: does anyone have any experience with the "Balanced" rudder
> blade from Long Haul Products?

I haven't but I believe it is a valid balanced rudder and should work.  You
could also just take the standard Klepper rudder and turn it around so that
it is kind of a balanced rudder.  Pop out the rivet that is holding the
rudder to the rudder plate.  Turn the rudder around so it rear is now facing
forward.  Get a stainless bolt and nut to replace that rivet that was
discarded.  This way you can switch from the Klepper rudder being in its
ordinary or balanced mode as you wish.  The downside is that the Klepper
rudder in its balanced-like position won't flip out of the water as high as
it does in its ordinary position.  But you could play with the modification
to get it to come out a bit higher.
>
> Questino 2b is: does anyone have any other suggestions for sailing blades
> for the Aerius II?

I just gave it to you.

ralph diaz--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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Received on Mon Jan 07 2002 - 20:27:52 PST

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