RE: [Paddlewise] drag vs. viscosity

From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 19:56:43 +1000
Michael wrote: -
>It definitely does if there is no wind and waves.
>I always feel sluggish in such conditions, even
>though I know it's an illusion.

G'Day Michael and Paddlewise,

Are you certain its always an illusion?

What is happening to the wave energy in a slightly choppy sea (not a
following sea)? Is it possible that waves of a certain height and period
reduce the drag on a hull?

My reading of the literature can only find descriptions of drag increase due
to energy loss from the prime mover in a boat, i.e. due to the energy
required for the boat to create waves or turbulence.

I hesitate to quote experiences in a kayak as they have no validity in a
technical explanation! But of course I'm going to:~) Anyway I notice in
slightly choppy water I can readily paddle a sit on top, as fast as the
fastest sea kayak we have over here.

The fastest sea kayak we have in Australia is something called a Mirage -
ironic name considering the nature of my question!

All the best, PeterO
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Received on Fri May 21 2004 - 06:25:27 PDT

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