Re: [Paddlewise] High Aspect Ratio Paddles

Peter,

I think there's more physics to it than just being twice as efficient
(Although, I'm no expert -- I'm working solely from observation here). The
hull speed of the boat, paddler's overall strength, etc, still are huge
factors in the equation.

This past christmas, I gave my girlfriend a custom Greenland paddle that I
built for her. She had paddled for several seasons with a low aspect ratio
paddle manufactured for racing, thinking it would improve her speed. She
could keep up for half the day, and then was always the last in at the
end. The first time she used the Greenland, she kept up with me for 7
miles heading into a 20 knot wind, and has improved her ability to keep up
all day dramatically. She now keeps up all day with just about any group
when she uses the Greenland.

Even though I'm a Greenland paddle enthusiast, I can't say it's all the
paddle so much as it is that the paddle is more suited to her ability and
strength/stamina. I think the high aspect ratio paddles conserve enough
energy to make a difference over a given distance, and that distance is
individual to each paddler. I would think a guy like Greg Barton would do
as well with any paddle over any distance, but the average mortal will see
a difference.

In short, the goal is to tailor the propeller to the motor to get the most
out of it, in my opinion.

Wayne


> Should the same paddler, paddling over the same
> distance in comparable conditions, expend nearly half as much energy
with a
> high aspect ratio paddle as with a low aspect ratio paddle? If so, this
is
> such a dramatic difference that high AR paddles should take over for
most
> tourers. But, they don't.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Wayne Smith
wsmith16_at_snet.net

Check out my sea kayaking & homebrewing page:
http://pages.cthome.net/wsmith16/home.html



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