I had suggested the Tribalance Kayak as a possibility for photography, off list. >I wonder how that Tribalance kayak would behave in wave and >wake conditions. Would the outriggers create a substantial >rolling moment when one is lifted and the other is in the >air in beam seas? My answer is, "I don't know." However if you look at their site, http:// www.tribalance.com you'll see that they don't recommend that you paddle it in high seas. Actually I think the TriBalance shouldn't tip as much on given size wave as a standard wide body kayak which is, perhaps, 38" wide, as it is 90" wide. I'd think this would make it 'bridge' more of the space between the wave and the flat water in front of it so it wouldn't be tipping at as great an angle. However wisdom from trimarans says that at some point there would be a tripping effect from the downwave ama which might be driven to submerge and cause the boat to flip. I suspect that the distributer is being cautious and trying to avoid lawsuits. I suspect it's OK in any conditions I would want to be paddling in. I suggested it with the thought of a photographer who is inexperienced in kayaking. I wouldn't recommend going out in high waves and putting down the paddle and looking through a view finder to anyone, in any kayak, certainly not me. In rough conditions I want both hands on the paddle and full peripheral awareness. In the kind of fairly calm conditions that I would be trying to do photography from a kayak, I think the Tri-balance would give a marvelously comfortable photography, diving, fishing, sunbathing, or reading platform with most of the advantages of a regular kayak. I'd consider one for the close in ocean and the Elkhorn Slough. I'd think it might work well as a kite sailer, too. I don't think it's design target was experienced kayakers, who are the only ones who should be kayaking in serious weather, and then only after serious judgement of the risks, and the appropriate kayaking equipment. In a TriBalance I'd be willing to carry a $K camera system. As it is I use a little Sony DSC P1 in a marine enclosure shooting from a Cobra Expedition SOT. I don't worry about getting wet because it works underwater down to 100 feet. Even with this little camera I often just point it and shoot, without using either the optical or LCD finder. When you're looking thru' a viewfinder (or binocs) your world is narrowed down a bunch. Any little wave or wake is likely to be a wet surprise when you're not holding your paddle. Lots of people use 35mm film cameras from kayaks, but I wouldn't do it or suggest it to anyone who is serious about their camera's. One splash from saltwater and it's become a doorstop. Keeping the regular camera in a drybag and taking it out to shoot means you miss 90% of the shots you want because they are transitory. Wildlife always moves just as you get ready to press the shutter, usually out of your sight. :-) Fairwinds and happy bytes, -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave Flory, San Jose, CA. daflory_at_pacbell.net Go Sea Kayaking!! (C)2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speak softly and study Aikido, then you won't need a big stick. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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 Thu Jan 31 2002 - 17:48:51 PST
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