Rob G. wrote: >Superior? How? How does a kayak of SOF construction BECOME superior because of its construction process? as I wrote, it uses less materials and is generally weighs about half as much as production hard shells, it takes much less labor to build by hand, it cost very little in materials, and it allows some flex in the hull which can have advantages in rough water. BTW I meant to write that SOF does NOT lend it self to production very well because of the amount of hand labor involved. >How does an SOF PERFORM better than a hard-shell by virtue of its construction process? Become of the flex of the skin and frame, there are conditions that it is more controllable. A SOF hull feels "alive" around you, like the flex of a ski boot, or the suspension on a car. A hard shell feels "dead". My obersvation after doing side by side comparison in the same conditions. >Could I replicate an outstanding SOF design in glass and make it perform as well? IT has been tried and they most definitely DO NOT perform the same. The flex makes a big difference. >If I then added bulkheads and hatches, (to reduce foldable volume), could I then argue it was safer? I have done this on a SOF, you have to get creative with the bulkhead to still allow flex in the skin/hull but still have it water tight. the only bad thing beside the extra work, was the extra weight (about 5 lb.). But is still acted like an SOF, not a "dead" hard shell. .I think you are describing your idea of the perfect fruit as a pineapple, when others believe it to be an apple. More like a pineapple, and the other is a rock.... PC *************************************************************************** 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 Wed Sep 22 2004 - 18:36:34 PDT
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