Did I read Peter Chopelas correctly that the ratio of thrust to paddle area was unimportant or, at least the wrong issue? If so I wonder about some things. Suppose we had two paddles one 120 sq. inches and one 80 square inches. both produce the same thrust at the same velocity and the same power input. Does this mean that both paddles are equally efficient or that the difference is unimportant? Can anyone think of any reasons why a smaller paddle that produces as much thrust as a larger paddle might prove advantageous? Also what is one to make of C.A. Marchaj's use of the Driving Force Coefficient ( Equivalent to the Thrust Coefficient or thrust per unit area)? I get the impression from his book 'Sailing Theory and Practice" (See pages 148 to 154) that this has a significant importance where one wants to optimize output from a given input. Cheers John Winters *************************************************************************** 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 Sat Sep 18 2004 - 04:27:40 PDT
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