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From: Dirk Barends <dbarends_at_xs4all.nl>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ferry gliding with the wind = Cross-wind ferry
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 10:43:36 +0100
PeterO wrote:

>Does this mean you can use the wind to ferry glide as well as current?
>I love the idea of using weather cocking to good effect!
>
>I'm a bit confused on ferry gliding - is it simply using the result of the
>vector addition of the velocity due to water current and the velocity in the
>direction being paddled. Or is it something much more hydrodynamically
>subtle?

A ferry in a current and a cross-wind ferry are based on the same
principle: compensating sideways forces on the boat by angling to
that force. But an important difference is that in a current you
better lean the boat downstream, and in a cross-wind ferry it is
better to lean (a bit) upwind.

Ferry gliding is a more British term for ferrying, which has the
misleading assumption that the work of this action is done by the
current, or in this case the wind. However this is not the case, as
the work has to be done the paddler. And for those who will not believe
that: stop paddling in such a situation, and see what happens...

Dirk Barends


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From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Ferry gliding with the wind = Cross-wind ferry
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2002 06:47:15 +1100
G'Day and thanks for all the ferry gliding posts, direct and back channel.

I'm now comfortable with the idea that ferry gliding can be understood by
vector addition of the velocity due to the current, the paddler and the
wind. And that an edged kayak will tend to be affected by a component vector
of the force due to paddling rather than the maximum force potentially
available.

Much appreciated peoples comments,

All the best, PeterO


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