Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com> wrote: > Boron fibre has been around for quite a while. <big snip> > > We need things that are stiff and strong on several scales. For > example, paddle shafts have to have good flex characteristics over > their lengths and also be stiff and strong enough to not crush if sat > on. > Do paddle shafts *have to* have good flex characteristics? There has been much discussion on PW about the great Greenland vs. Euro debate, some of which reaches the level of religious conviction, but I don't recall reading why a paddle shaft *has* to flex. I certainly agree that paddle shafts need to be tough enough to take some heavy (ab)use, but my simple mind thinks that, all other things being equal (which they never are), less flex means more efficient paddling. Play Hard, Erik Sprenne *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On 11 Oct 2003 at 8:18, Erik Sprenne wrote: > Do paddle shafts *have to* have good flex characteristics? [...] > being equal (which they never are), less flex means more efficient > paddling. Good flex doesn't necessarily mean a lot of flex. The common wisdom holds that if a paddle shaft is extremely stiff, it causes joint problems more that a flexible shaft. I question that to some extent, since it seems that the really stiff shafts are usually paired with big blades and blade size may be part of the problem. I certainly can't detect any flex in the 17.5 inch shaft section I used to measure electrical resistance (in another thread on lightning). Of course, there is flex, just less than I can detect with my hands. When I test my paddle (50-odd inches between blade roots), the shaft flexes, but I have to use forces a lot higher than paddling forces to see anything. The amount of flex, or deflection, in normal paddling must be miniscule and the amount of energy this represents is probably trivial. There's also a debate on the degree of flex that contributes to recoverable energy in a stroke. I haven't formed an opinion on this yet. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 10/11/2003 9:21:45 AM Eastern Standard Time, sprenne_at_netnitco.net writes: > Do paddle shafts *have to* have good flex characteristics? ... my simple > mind thinks that, all other things being equal (which they never are), less > flex means more efficient paddling. > > Play Hard, > Erik Sprenne > +++ I wonder whether we could draw upon some of the thinking / engineering behind tuned flex Atlatl and dart systems by way of analogy here? Check out Atlatl Bob at <A HREF="www.Atlatl.com">www.Atlatl.com</A> Any ideas? (I am in no way affiliated with the gentleman or his business.) Best regards, Ralph Ralph C. Hoehn Folding Boat Center P.O. Box 700 Enfield NH 03748 info_at_FoldingBoatCenter.com www.FoldingBoatCenter.com phone: +1-802-649-2555 -- Ralph phone: +1-603-632-9500 -- Alv (yup, they rhyme) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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