> To me things that contribute to a > dead feel are: heavy weight (gear loads and heavy kayaks suffering from > inertia), flexible kayaks (some of my energy is wasted flexing the > kayak--rotomolded plastic, flexible SOF, and inflatables come to mind), too > much friction holding them back (kayaks that are too wide, too long, or > poorly shaped), too hard to turn (stiff tracking kayaks with lots of keel at > the bow and stern don't feel lively to me, those responsive to body English > and paddle strokes do). /skip/ > A flexible > kayak is like a dead animal that changes it shape when acted upon by other > forces in the environment, including the living paddler. It tends to absorb > those forces and dissipate them by flexing. That's what I meant. Folding kayaks come to my mind as well (often too wide and irresponsive as well). Too much of flex, compared to non-foldable SOF. *************************************************************************** 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 Fri Sep 24 2004 - 19:59:14 PDT
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