RE: [Paddlewise] Grace Under Pressure

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 01:08:42 -0400
On 11 Sep 2003 at 20:31, Don Margiano wrote:

>  A WW boat is easier to roll than a seayak.  

I don't think this is always true, but it tends to psyche people out 
when they try to learn in a sea kayak.

I've found, as one example, that my Boreal Designs Ellesmere SK is 
about as easy to roll as my Perception Pirouette WW.  The lower 
volume (and some not so low volume) sea kayaks, especially the 
Greenland style, are particularly easy to roll.  Some of the boxy WW 
kayaks and high volume creek boats can be trickier.  Many WW boats 
are kinda beamy and the boxy ones have multiple points where they are 
stable.  The latter results in a kayak that rolls like a square 
wheel.  

The sea kayaks that are hard to roll are the ones with lots of volume 
and especially those with high seats and rear decks.  The latter 
prevents or restricts a proper layback.  I remember trying to roll an 
old design Gulfstream and feeling I was about to break my spine.  The 
2000 and newer versions, OTOH, roll like a log.  I can't imagine 
rolling some of the Seaward touring kayaks with their high, wrap-
around plastic seats - I'd rip that out and replace it with a 
backband or foam block quickly.

In all, outfitting and fit are probably more important than type of 
kayak when it comes to rolling.

Mike

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Received on Thu Sep 11 2003 - 22:01:57 PDT

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