[Paddlewise] Paddling in doubles.

>
>
>A double is good. But dump a double in rough water and, well, you know...two
>water-logged cockpits for the price of one.

My short experience with doubles has forced me to think that they can be 
very nice reliable boats that can take easier rough conditions that singles 
would have difficulties with.

For some reason doubles are not very popular but my finding has been.  (of 
course it depends on the type of boat you use).

1.- In rough surf in Padre Island in 2002 my partner and I could go out and 
back many times. We capsized on the first attempt but after we synchronized 
ourselves we repeatedly crossed the breakers and came back, doing some 
heavy braces at times, but had a blast picking up 4 - 5 foot waves and 
running in to shore.

2.- Rescuing ourselves in doubles is much easier than in singles. I have 
done rescues in the surf zone. One paddler holds the boat while the other 
climbs, and he can pump his side for better balance or brace while the 
other climbs up. Another method has been like this. I have left the other 
paddle on one side and filled my paddle float and made a reentry and roll 
and kept the float as an outrigger while the other boater climbs up and we 
both pump out water.

3.- Rolling the double works very well with two 80% efficient rollers. One 
paddler hits the boat under the water two times and both roll at the time 
of the third hit. We have done it many times with good results. My friend 
Juan Luis rolls the double by himself without paddlefloat. I can roll it 
sometimes, but I can roll it always with a paddle float.

In the model we have tried, the front and back paddler are separated so 
that they are closer to bow and stern and turning is so, so easy, because 
the front paddler only makes half sweep stroke, from bow to middle and the 
back paddler sweeps from middle to stern. 8 strokes suffice to do a full 
360 degrees turn. Of course edging the boat helps a lot and since it is 
wide at the center, the edging works very well.

Our friends Arthur Hebert and Larry Koenig paddled a double in one good 
piece of  their  www.lacostadelgolfo.com   circumnavigation, from 
Chachalacas Veracruz to Chiltepec Tabasco in all kinds of water conditions. 
Their comments are very encouraging.

If I was to do a rough crossing I feel more inclined to use my double with 
a friend that can paddle more or less at my pace, than with the single. 
Bracing, side strokes, turning, etc are done in the same way.

Other advantages.

One can take pictures. One can prepare lunch. One can rest or pee (it is 
always good to take into consideration wind direction for the sake of the 
other). One can swim to refresh himself, etc.

Best Regards,

Rafael
el cayucochief
www.mayanseas.com








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