Back Deck Storage: No. If you plan to use self-rescue over the back deck, you should have a relatively clear deck. Better to front-load, and keep the profile as low as you can, or re-think your needs. I've seen every type of rear deckload, and many were outsize and heavy (coolers, dutch ovens, huge duffels, etc.). I have used mid-loading (on the deck between paddlers) in a small double to good effect. We habitually carried our tent and our sleeping pads there, both fairly bulky items but not heavy. In the event of a capsize, the rear paddler had the rear deck for entry, and the forward paddler would have come in over the front deck, probably first, while the rear paddler stayed in the water and helped stabilize it. A mid-load does increase your windage, but at least it does not lead to weather helm or weather cocking. And, it is where the rear paddler can watch it. ----- Extra Gear Anecdote: A guy I used to paddle with was notorious for taking too much gear, and was in the habit of asking others to carry his extras. Finally, I put my foot down on one trip and refused to carry anything superfluous ... he groused at the put-in but managed somehow. I got my justification on the fifth day when he proudly exited his tent in a dripping rain, beaming away, with the announcement he had managed to use every single pair of the five (5) FIVE! sets of footwear he had brought. What really frosted me was he did not see the irony of his ways. But, at least I got a good story out of it. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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 17 May 2004 at 8:00, Dave Kruger wrote: > A mid-load does increase your windage, but at least it does not lead > to weather helm or weather cocking. Weathercocking still remains a misunderstood phenomena. If you have windage, you have weather helm. If the wind pushes a kayak sideways (no turning required), then the water's forces on the hull will cause weathercocking. To prevent it, minimize windage or minimize sideslip with a keel, rudder, skeg etc. If you overcorrect for it, you might get lee helm at lower speeds and weather helm only at high speeds. Here's a diagram from Frank Goodman (VCP Kayaks) on weathercocking. Note that it shows how weathercocking is only due to side loading due to wind. http://www.greatlakeskayaker.ca/weathercockKayak.htm In the case of your double with the mid-load, it's possible that the keel is so long and deep that weathercocking is reduced below the level that you'd have a problem with regardless of the excess load on the deck. 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/ ***************************************************************************
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