: 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! *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Tord Eriksson" <tord_at_tord.nu> > 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! And don't forget, Tord, when all is said and done, and the battery is discharged and worthless, its weight makes an excellent anchor! [grin] -- 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 8/2/2004 3:49:46 AM Pacific Daylight Time, tord_at_tord.nu writes: > 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! > My sailing kayaks often need a paddle assist to complete the tack, for that reason I prefer to jibe (aka gybe). The greater mass and inertia of gear aboard a cruising boat makes the jibe risky but in a kayak with light gear it's smooth, quick, easy. Tony Niilus *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> My sailing kayaks often need a paddle assist to complete the tack, for that > reason I prefer to jibe (aka gybe). The greater mass and inertia of gear > aboard a cruising boat makes the jibe risky but in a kayak with light gear it's > smooth, quick, easy. > > Tony Niilus I think paddle is more reliable device to assist in tacking, than battery-powered motor :-). For that kayak of yours that is more difficult to tack with an aft mast - did you ever consider adding a fore strap-on maststep (like in Spirit http://www.spiritsails.com/products.shtml , Part 223) with a small, 11-12 sq.ft V-sail like Spirit or Pacific Action http://www.pacificaction.co.nz/barra1.htm or quadrilateral sail http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/36/osdgl.html (using stap-on maststep instead of hinge, of course)? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
tony wrote: >> 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! >> > My sailing kayaks often need a paddle assist to complete the tack, for that > reason I prefer to jibe (aka gybe). The greater mass and inertia of gear > aboard a cruising boat makes the jibe risky but in a kayak with light gear > it's smooth, quick, easy. We found that out, too! But at times it can be helpful to tack, but as you note, there was no feeling of danger at all when we jibed (gybed)! Tord *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 8/2/2004 1:43:42 PM Pacific Standard Time, al.m_at_3web.net writes: I think paddle is more reliable device to assist in tacking, than battery-powered motor :-). Agreed, less clutter and stuff to bring along, just a couple of quick paddle strokes and the tack is completed. I keep the paddle handy anyway. For that kayak of yours that is more difficult to tack with an aft mast - did you ever consider adding a fore strap-on maststep Not really on the K-1, just more stuff to bring along, it's easy to jibe or assist the tack with a paddle. When I replied earlier I was thinking of my Klepper A2 which is schooner-rigged. Tony Niilus *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>a fore strap-on > maststep > Not really on the K-1, just more stuff to bring along, it's easy to jibe or > assist the tack with a paddle. When I replied earlier I was thinking of my > Klepper A2 which is schooner-rigged. Klepper A2 schooner already has enough masts, I think :-)... But with K-1 aft rig it's not only tacking that suffers, but upwind capability too, and even, I suspect, downwind (a littel bit); probably because rudder is used more actively than with a fore mast. On the other hand, mast and outrigger 12-13" aft of the cockpit is probably the only location that provides for normal paddling strokes, with a greenland paddle, without having a sail in your lap or catching a sail with a paddle. Regular 'Euro" paddle still bangs against aft crossbar sometimes. Aft masts closer to cockpit compromise paddling significantly, as I've found, even with a GP. Technically, GP should be pulled out when it reaches the hip, but in reality correction strokes may be needed, or I don't always pay enough attention when pulling it out. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 8/3/2004 12:44:01 PM Pacific Standard Time, al.m_at_3web.net writes: But with K-1 aft rig it's not only tacking that suffers, but upwind capability too, and even, I suspect, downwind (a littel bit); probably because rudder is used more actively than with a fore mast. On the other hand, mast and outrigger 12-13" aft of the cockpit is probably the only location that provides for normal paddling strokes, with a greenland paddle, without having a sail in your lap or catching a sail with a paddle. This method, like most things, tends to be a compromise. For raceing I might have done things differently, but since I sail alone and for my own pleasure I don't much care about optimum results. If I wanted a real sailboat I'd get one. A good solution would be something like the Triak with the mast forward of the cockpit, a daggerboard (not leeboard) mounted just aft of the mast, and the outriggers mounted well aft of the cockpit and clear of the paddle stroke. To do this with a folding kayak would take so much work that it wouldn't make any sense. Tony Niilus *************************************************************************** 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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