Re: [Paddlewise] GP Sufficient power?

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Hi Nick,

I think the difference is in the rate of strokes per minute.  The
acceleration of a Euro comes from a broad blade pushing a large amount of
water.  Since the narrow GP can't push the same amount of water,  initial
acceleration is less. I'm not sure if this is caused by less blade area or
the high aspect blade shape of the GP since working out the m2 on curves are
not one of my strong points.  Comparing my Euro's (19cm x 44cm)  and GP's
(9cm x 92cm) I suspect the blade area is not much different so the shape of
the blade probably accounts for it.

Once the boat is moving the GP paddler will have a higher rate of strokes
then a Euro paddler in obtaining the same speed. But the GP uses less force
with each stroke thus the over all energy used is less. The speed I'm
referring to depends on the paddlers "comfort zone" on how much effort they
use to obtain a particular speed.  By increasing the rate of strokes in the
Euro you will of course always go faster then the GP since the Euro will be
constantly accelerating until the max hull speed is reached, but effort used
would still be higher and for cruising a balance between speed and effort is
found to suit the individual paddler.

When I say that my GP is just as fast as a my Euro once up to speed, I am
referring to the effort needed in obtaining my comfortable cruising speed.
The GP strokes per minute is higher but the energy used is less.  No
scientific prove here its just what I've noticed.


Cheers
Grant

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nick Schade" <schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GP Sufficient power?


> It is generally agreed that GPs don't have the ability to accelerate
> of a euro, but almost no GP users seem to think there is any
> difference once you are up to speed. What is it about GPs that when
> the force is applied to get the boat moving there is a noticeable
> difference, but when the force is applied to keep the boat moving
> there appears to be no difference? What changes between the time you
> first start and the time you are up to speed? Something must change
> to account for the difference in relative response to applied effort.
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