Re: [Paddlewise] Rudder drag

From: Kirk Olsen <kork4_at_cluemail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2004 16:23:29 -0500
On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 15:17:03 -0500, "Tony Reynes" <tony_at_tesar-
reynes.com> said:
> If I am competing in a flat water race, is it worth not using my
> rudder for a 7.5 mile course?  My gut tells me that keeping drag to a
> minimum will save me a little time.

I'm of the firm belief that the drag of the rudder is worth it.

If you have a perfectly balanced stroke, with no wind, current, or need
to use corrective strokes, then I would skip the rudder.

If you have a cross wind on the course, and you decide against the
rudder,
you'll lose a lot of time making course corrections instead of just
powering forward.

> I am a 63 year old who wants to better his time in a race I did two
> years ago. I own a QCC 500 and want every bit of help I can get. I
> appreciate all wisdom/comments.

Work on your forward stroke.  Better technique will far outweigh the
drag of your rudder.  You want a nice efficient stroke, plus a quick
stroke rate.

It's fun to watch an "old timer" with great technique blow away a
muscular "youngster" who has lousy technique  :-)

Kirk
happily racing a ruddered fenn mako millenium.
-- 
  Kirk Olsen
  kork4_at_cluemail.com
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Received on Tue Jun 15 2004 - 14:23:38 PDT

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