Re: [Paddlewise] Baffin Island Incident

I agree with your point about suitability of the boat-match combination. The
point was somewhat muted in my article purposely, given that the paddlers were
expecting to have the use of doubles, with the men providing the propulsive
effort, etc. But you do raise an interesting problem, especially with respect to
kayak reservations typical for paddlers traveling to the launch area where the
kayaks are to be rented, where the kayaks have not been given proper
consideration as far as size and fit, etc. The ladies in the story were fairly
petite, especially Marilynn.

Any other comments would be appreciated. May I have your permission to send your
comments to Richard Proctor, former Paddlewiser who alerted me to this story? He
is good friends with the survivors and those who died, and asked me to forward
any feedback to him from the article and subsequent discussion.

I'm glad the issue is out. My cheque should be in the mail soon. Lets see, new
tent, new VHF, new paddle...

Gerald Foodman wrote:

> Doug,
> I read with interest your Baffin Island Incident article in the July SK.  As
> a Solstice GTS paddler I noted that all 4 of the paddlers were in Solstices,
> although you did not mention the model.  But the point that interested me
> was that a proximate cause of the fatalies was the difficulty turning into
> the wind.  I find the GTS superb in windy conditions but it does take some
> strength and technique to turn it.  For example, In 15 kts my inexperienced
> sister-in-law was unable to turn it up wind at all.  You also made the
> correct point about the rudder hindering this change of direction.  In winds
> greater than 20 kts I generally raise the rudder if I want to do a 90 deg
> turn.  Once there course is easy to hold with or without the rudder, even in
> those winds.  The rudder is basically an energy saving device on long
> straight runs.
>
> But from a safety point of view it is imperative that a paddler be able to
> control the boats direction in any expected wind.  Therefore a Solstice GTS
> would be a dangerous boat to have for a moderate strength woman weighing
> less than say 130 lbs.  I don't think that the suitability match of boat to
> person is sufficiently emphasized in safety discussions.
>
> Jerry

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