> From: "Kaitlin O'Hara" <kohara_at_potomacmgmt.com> > Hello, > > My name is Kait O'Hara. I believe Kirk Olsen may have written you about my > project. The U.S. Coast Guard has hired me to do a search for information > on sponson use in the paddling community. Why? I have yet to see you state the objective. <big snip> > Other Recommended Devices > > Langmaid suggested that there is no substitute for avoidance of dangerous > situations and solid paddling skills because training is far better than > being outside of your boat. Bob Myers suggested that using California > Ballast Rocks T with inflated float bags to keep rocks in place was a far > superior method of achieving temporary stability. This statement demonstrates that you are not only not a sea kayaker, but you are conducting a "study" via a very unprofessional manner... conducting a study from a casual conversation on a listserve of individuals whom you have no idea as to their credentials about a subject on which you are quite ignorant. > Bob Myers commented that he tried sponsons on his tippy boat, and they > "really slowed the boat down, at least subjectively." He felt as though he > was "plowing through the water." Diaz, on the other hand, found that in > actual paddling conditions, they cause a minimal amount of drag. He found > that if they were properly setup, they would only touch the water if the > boat was being tossed around, under which conditions they would be serving > their purpose. A friend of Diaz's used them with his Aerius 2000 (very > tippy) and he frequently used them for comfort. According to Diaz, it You have taken Ralph Diaz' comments out of context. Bob Myers is referring to the unsponsoned Khatsalano, a point he made in his original message. Ralph was not responding to Bob Myers' comment. Are you aware of the differences in these two boats? As the originator of PaddleWise (a list repeatedly and publicly referred to by Ingram as "that murderous cult"), I object to a _casual_ conversation on PaddleWise between fellow paddlers regarding sponsons being used in this manner. I have difficulty seeing any good in this type of "research" and the only quote you may make on my behalf (not that the US Coast Guard should consider any decisions about sponsons based on anything I have to say about them) is this: "I think the illusion of safety created by the US Coast Guard mandating the carrying of sponsons will get paddlers killed, especially novice paddlers. I don't think the US Coastguard will want to enforce that kind of illusion." Please feel free to use my title. Jackie Fenton/Myers Registered Five Star Expert Level US Bogon Society of Advanced Sea Kayakers p.s. I am unable to view your word and excel documents at your website. I assume it contains only what you presented to PaddleWise readers in your post. *************************************************************************** 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 Wed Oct 30 2002 - 14:36:09 PST
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