> > Once buyers expect wide beam, high initial stability, and are more attracted > to large volume than speed, that is probably what the market (i.e., > manufacturers) will provide. Those who want narrow beam, greater speed, and > less stability have plenty to choose from among hardshells -- and an enormous > market share. > > The other reason may be in the technology: folders, even the best quality > ones, rely on the integrity of take-apart joints for their strength, instead > of the monocoque-derived strength of composite (or plastic) hulls. > Especially in plastic, roto-molded hulls, a severe stress on the hull can > deform it, but the hull can pop back. An aluminum joint can not, even though > the hull material in a folder is extremely flexible and resilient. Agreed. Narrow hardshells are plentiful, cheaper than existing performance folders and are apparently preferred by many. I do't think they are preferred only as a result of existing prejudice towards folders, based on little knowledge, which is in turn based on their little numbers and so on. Even appartment dwellers prefer using performance hardshells (meaning *narrow* - which is not the only criterion, of course) VS performance folders, whenever they can find a pay storage in a local kayaking or sailing club. Engineering problems with narrow and long performance folders of course exist, but I think it's must be mosly market reasons for not making more performance models. Khatsalano is one of performance folders - it's 17 ft long and even with its 22" width it should be roomy enough for a weekend overnight trip. Very few people own them, though F-craft is a well-known company. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Mar 21 2004 - 13:10:47 PST
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:13 PDT