Re: [Paddlewise] swede versus fish form kayaks

Gordin Warner <hmgwarner_at_shaw.ca> wrote:
>I was asked to explain the advantage or disadvantageous of swede
versus 
>fish form hull designs the other day.

In a heated discussion on P'wise a couple of years ago, Matt B.
mentioned that fast birds, fish, and submarines are fish-form.  They
generally "operate" in one fluid.  All other things being equal (which
they're not), fishform kayaks have more directional stability--they
tend to track in a straight line once set (note that this also means
they can be more difficult to bring back onto one's desired course
after a broach).  I'm told that a lot of Brit boats have more volume in
the bow than stern, which is supposed to sink the stern before the bow
in a following sea, lessening the tendency to broach.  (Note here,
though, that this can be done with volume distribution without altering
the plan shape -- fishform and swedeform are largely descriptions of
plan shape)

Fast ships and kayaks are Swedeform--they operate at the interface
between air and water fluids, so their wavemaking shape is more
critical than simply how they push straight through the fluid.  I am
told (and have noted) that often Swedeform kayaks are more
maneuverable, and more responsive to leaned turns, although I don't
know the mechanics behind this (but am eager to learn it!).

As an aside, I suppose the S in Swedeform should be capitalized as a
proper adjective.  (But maybe the Norwegian in me would tend to spell
it with a lower-case s.  Just kidding, Swedish list-members!)

Slightly-OT: Did you try Joe Greenley's Redfish King at R2K2?  What a
gorgeous Swedeform!!!

Shawn

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