Re: [Paddlewise] Rough Seas

I have not experienced a kayak yet that renders its occupant immune to at
least some wetness when running upwind or head-on into steep chop. It's all
a matter of degree. I've know of kayaks that the manufactured claimed
incorporated a bow design that was supposed to be engineered to lift said
bow over the waves, yet in real world conditions, the occupant was wetter
than myself (or at the very least, unable to make headway in heavy air-sea
conditions), in the wet-running Nordkapp. There are a few designs that
achieve a nice balance here. The factors which have to be balanced include
potential volume in the bow that makes it more wind-prone, as well as more
difficult to break out through surf and over the top off steep offshore
waters where the paddler is trying to make time from point A to B.

In open sea conditions running into a gale, I fine that while the Nordkapp
is a truly wet ride, it does manage to make headway where other kayaksshow a
tendency to bog down. I admit this appears counter-intuitive. Where the
wetness originates with respect to the Nordkapp, is not so much its lack of
volume for riding up and over the seas to leave the occupant dryer, but in
the slam-action of the bow as it plunges back into the water _after_ lifting
over a wave. The seas tend to gather up on the deck then get thrown back in
the paddler's face and chest.

The Nordkapp Jubilee addressed this issue apparently, but I'm sure it is
still a bit of a wet boat, as these lower volume kayaks simply retain a
low-windage factor which has to mean wetter-riding characteristics. I'm not
sure about the relative wetness of the Gulfstream, but from what I remember
paddling with Gulfstream drivers is that moderate conditions aren't too bad.
With the Nordkapp, even mild seas can produce a very wet ride. I believe the
P&H kayaks have a bit more volume, traditionally, in the foredeck area to
compensate for a dryer ride. That's one reason I've never liked the P&H
kayak line, as the kayak feels too encumbered up front (still obviously
lower than many North American designs).

Well, I'm not a designer, so I should shut up. But suffice it to say that
many paddlers buy kayaks based on the kayak's reputation to yield a drier
ride, while others desire low-windage, low-volume, performance bows that
slice through the action. Once accustomed to the traits of a wetter-running
kayak and relative merits commensurate with the individuals preferences, the
only other decision to make is the one to buy proper immersion apparel for
"none-immersion" use, if you get my drift. :-)

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC

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"Whatever can be said at all can be said clearly and whatever cannot be said
clearly should not be said at all."
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Holtzman" <sh_at_actglobal.net>
To: "'Doug Lloyd'" <dalloyd_at_telus.net>; "'Peter Treby'"
<ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au>; <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 5:14 AM
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Rough Seas


> Doug Lloyd said:
> > Us skinny-bow old-school boys like the extra slopola effect.
> > Takes a real man to paddle while getting slapped in the face
> > every wave!
>
> Doug, Although I've never paddled a Nordkapp, us Gulfstream paddlers can
> relate to this too! Is it possible to paddle and have a dry face and/or
> chest?
>
> Steve Holtzman
> Southern, CA
>
>
>
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