Re: [Paddlewise] Resistance in the real world

: My rule of thumb for average paddler capabilities is 0.1 hp, or 75 Watts 

(snip)

Interesting to consider using an electric motor to support your paddling,
say when wanting to move close to wildlife. There are lots of electric drives 
out there, some eminently useful on canoes and kayaks, but there is always 
the issue of endurance.

So in a double, we would want, to have reasonable performance, 150W power, and
could probably need 300W from the battery, counting all losses along the way, 
which are reasonable, if not optimistic. So with a 12V battery we'll draw 25 
A,
so a sizeable car battery is needed if you want an endurance over two hours!

But there is one situation where the extra weight (my 50Ah battery weighs 15 
kgs!) might come handy, and where an electric drive can be a real advantage, 
and that is when sailing a canoe/kayak, as most of them are pretty miserable 
tackers, unless you're a really good sailor! Then a little speed-holding with
the electric while tacking would be a grand boost, and the tacking would look 
so much more professional!

The time you need power is just a few seconds per tack, thus your battery will 
last for ever, almost - especially if you have a solar panel to charge it! 
And the extra weight stabilises the boat, too, if the battery is properly 
strapped to the bottom! So a win-win situation! And the battery can be used 
to power your bilge pump, too!


Yours,

Tord

PS I use a fourstroke, but that's another story!
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