Re: [Paddlewise] Skeg Jammers etc

From: Michael Neverdosky <mikenever_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 14:12:32 -0400
Michael Daly wrote:
> 
> But then, sometimes ballasting with weight in the ends can
> have a useful damping effect on pitching.


This may be true in some rare cases but my experience in a 
wide variety of boats, sail, power, paddle, etc. shows that
pitching usually increases with weight in the ends of the 
boat.

It is far better to control pitching with buoyancy and hull
shape. Having the ends shaped differently, that is the buoyancy
and change in buoyancy with immersion is different between
the bow and stern does more to damp pitching. For good examples
see the designs (multihull sailboats) of Kurt Hughes at;
http://www.multihulldesigns.com/

While the shapes he uses would likely not be all that great for
kayaks the idea is sound. Ever notice that there are more fish form,
and swede form kayaks than symmetrical ones? Think there might
be a reason?

And yes, sometimes the added inertia DOES help the boat punch
through small waves instead of pitching so weight in the ends
will help *sometimes*.

michael (still more sailor than kayaker)
***************************************************************************
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 Mon Jun 28 2004 - 11:12:48 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:15 PDT