Re: [Paddlewise] GP Sufficient power?

From: Shawn Baker <shawnkayak_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 07:35:54 -0700 (PDT)
Nick Schade <schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com> wrote:
>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? 

There doesn't feel to be as much drag when the paddle is accelerated
rapidly through the water.  Possibly the potential for ventilation (and
concurrent drag loss) is higher.

In forward strokes, I believe Euro paddles are more forgiving of sloppy
technique (which sometimes happens with hasty, impulsive strokes). 
With poor technique, GP's are more susceptible to flutter and
ventilation.

And GP's are much more forgiving of sloppy technique when sculling and
rolling.  Lower tendency to dive.  Most Euro paddles have very little
blade buoyancy (let alone buoyancy overall), and slice and dive much
easier.  

You can argue that Euro paddles could be made with the same blade
cross-section as GP's, but in general, this is not the case
commercially.  The Werner Kalliste and Double Diamond are a step in
this direction, but still don't perform in the same manner as a
Greenland paddle, which is still more buoyant.  Obviously, I'm
comparing wooden GP's to composite Euros, but a carbon Superior GP is
more buoyant than any of the Mitchell or Cricket euros I've felt......

These generalizations can be drawn when most available Euro paddles
generally have little buoyancy or positive blade displacement.

Shawn

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Received on Tue Sep 17 2002 - 07:35:57 PDT

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