Re: [Paddlewise] Re:Planing etc.

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 13:06:50 -0500
From: "John Fereira" <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
> 
> I realize that it's fashionable to bash Derek, but for someone that wrote a 
> lot of "inaccurate" information about boat design, he sure has designed a 
> lot of really nice kayaks. 

It is possible to design perfectly good kayaks without correctly 
understanding the true functioning.  This is in fact true for many 
other things.  People have built houses and such for millenia 
without the least understanding of structural principles and the 
relationships between stress, strain and failure.  Ptolemy's 
Earth-centered universe was pathetically flawed, yet correctly
predicted planetary positions for over 1500 years.

Skin on frame kayaks are built using only anthropometric measures, 
without the least resort to fluid mechanics.  Nonetheless, these
craft are often quite seaworthy and their modern builders consider
them the best thing on water!  Experience is a good teacher,
survival a better one!

> 
> Speaking of Derek's boat designs, has anyone paddled the new Current 
> Designs Andromeda or the poly version, Sirocco?  

Actually, the Sirocco is a poly version of the Gulfstream and I'd also
like to know how it performs compared to a composite Gulfstream.
It looks like it could be a decent, lower-priced alternative.

Mike

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Received on Wed Jan 16 2002 - 10:05:30 PST

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