> From: Matt Poese > Subject: [Paddlewise] Klepper spraydecks and rudders > > ... > > I plan to mostly sail and paddle solo in Lake Erie and other open > water, which means I'm looking into spraydecks. Because I feel like I > might like to take a passenger on occasion, and being a frugal guy I think > I should get a double spraydeck with two "person hatches" and just plug > the front hatch up when I'm solo. However, then I realize that I don't > really know where I'm gonna want to sit in the boat to trim it out > correctly for sailing or paddling (which might be two different spots, > eh?) So, > > Question 1a is: where do folks who solo sail an A II like to sit? > I wondered about this myself as I have a sail kit on order from Mark Balogh with parts to fit both my Aeirus I and II. Mark suggested I mount it amidships on the II, so the person in the bow seat could use their paddle. This would mean sitting in the stern when sailing alone. Question 1b is: where do folks who solo paddle an A II like to sit? When I paddle mine solo I always sit amidships. I have a Long Haul solo tuck-under deck as well as an original Klepper tuck-under. Paddling from the stern the boat handles poorly unless you weight it with a bit of ballast in front.It doesn't turn as easily with sweeps, either. > > Question 1c is: does a solo spray deck allow any bow-stern position > flexibility? Does it need to? > No, you can only sit right in the center of the boat. Question 1d is: am I dreaming if I think I'm going to make a double spraydeck work for either solo sailing or paddling? No, but you will give up a little handling ease. If you can only afford one, just decide if you'll be doing mainly solo or double paddling/sailing. My A-II used to be a solo boat for me, but now it's only used as a double. > > 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? > Yes. It's a big improvement. I replaced the standard Klepper blade on my boat with one. You can make your own, too, if you're handy with metalworking; the Long Haul blade is based on a pattern of Mark Balogh's that's on the BSD web page. Mark Ekhart tells me he has a new pedal assembly for the boats, too, so if you don't have a rudder assembly you might look into that. -- mike ----------------------------------- Michael Edelman mje_at_spamcop.net http://www.foldingkayaks.org http://www.findascope.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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