RE: [Paddlewise] Did Hobie Cat sucker punch top racers?

Matt wrote,


Apparently something would need to be done with the flippers (longer
maybe?) or the gearing (shorter pedal shaft length maybe?) to shift into
(or have) a higher gear for faster speeds (with a longer hull). My guess
is that there is something inherent in the system that won't allow it to
be efficient at high speed or Hobie would have mounted a custom system
on a narrow kayak (with outriggers maybe) and they would have challenged
Greg to an all out race rather than just a tug-of-war.

I would like to comment again about the efficiency of the Mirage blades
against speed. They have the maximum force and power at stand still, and
as speed increases reduce their efficiency since the flexible blade does
not bend as much the higher the speed. At standing still it flexes and
pushes water backwards with the maximum angle possible given by the
resistance against water. When in motion water is passing by and
therefore the backblade is moving towards water that moves away and the
push against that water is less. There is a limit in which the blades
just travel but don't do any pushing. 

I insist that a race against the Olympic champions Gregg and Oscar,
based on full speed at starting line would undoubtedly be won by the
kayakers.

That is why the test is proposed on the tug-of-war.

Best Regards,

Rafael
Mexico
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