Re: [Paddlewise] Car Topping Question

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Volin" <bobvolin_at_optonline.net>
>
> Why would wind resistance be different as long as the kayak isn't mounted
> crossways?

 Bob is referring to a comment made that a boat on its side has higher wind
resistance, would reduce reliability and increase gas expenses.

I would suspect that there is no greater wind resistance to the car and
roofed boat in this configuration than in the boat being cockpit up (or
down).  It's the same forward profile either way.  But there may be an
advantage for a side mounted boat.  The wind tunnel effect of forward motion
tends to have a good deal of the forces trying to lift the bow end of the
boat.  This in turn pushes the rear end of the boat down on the rear of the
car.  In effect the downward forces on the rear are like adding considerable
weight to the rear of the car that results in more tire wear.  I think the
car also has its front end lift some making for a higher profile in its
forward motion.  This would reduce gas mileage a bit.

Side mounted boats also have less bending and torque effect on the boat
itself as it moves through the wind forces of forward motion of the car.
The boat on its side resists bending better than if laid flat.  A test to
try is to take a nominal 1 X 2 piece of wood two feet long.  It is harder to
bend it if laid vertically as opposed to horizontally.

Of course, this is discussion that could easily be sidestepped.  Why put a
kayak on the roof at all?  Whatever happened to the good old practice of
putting the kayak inside the kayak as has been done since cars were first
invented.  It so happens that cars and folding kayaks began around the same
time.  Roof racks were invented many years later when people abandoned the
old ways and started using rigid kayaks.  They were forced then to figure
out how to carry them and started arguing about cockpit up, cockpit down,
side mount, trailering etc.  If people had stuck with folding kayaks then
there would never have been a PaddleWise that only became necessary for all
the vexing problems associated with rigid boats that needed storage and
carrying solutions and complicated rescue techniques, most of which aren't
much needed in foldables.

ralph diaz
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