Re: [Paddlewise] Weatherhelming versus Weathercocking Usage

On Tuesday 26 September 2006 13:18, Craig wrote:

(snip)


> What if you have neither a rudder nor a skeg? Well there are still ways
> to change the balance of your kayak but most of the easy ones aren't
> available to you. You'll have to have some understanding of your kayak
> and how to change its balance (that is, the balance between center of
> effort and center of lateral resistance... not the tippy sort of
> balance).
>
> During the last spate of weathercocking posts several people mentioned
> that if they load their kayaks differently they can alter its behavior
> in wind. This is because they are changing both the center of effort
> (windage) and the center of lateral resistance. If the bow of your kayak
> sticks waaaay up in the wind that adds windage forward (moves the center
> of effort forward) and makes the boat more likely to leecock. Adding
> gear in the foward compartment sinks the bow deeper in the water and
> reduces windage (moves the center of effort aft) while adding to the
> effective keel area (moving the center of lateral resistance forward).
> Likewise, adding weight aft sinks the stern of the boat reducing windage
> and moving the center of effort forward while simultaneously moving the
> center of lateral resistance aft.
>
> The same things happen when you move your seat forward and backwards;
> the balance between center of effort and center of resistance changes.
>
> So if you have no skeg or rudder you will need to evaluate the weather
> and sea conditions for your trip. Of course, we should all do this
> anyway and most of us who paddle regularly understand pretty well what
> conditions cause our kayaks to become difficult to handle. But those
> without access to quick changes in their boat's balance need to be more
> closely aware of these conditions.

Excellent explanation, Craig (hope you're well!)!

After having some leecocking problems we found that our Klepper Aerius II 
behaved very well when we added a oversize rudder and a mizzen, as the 
leecocking effect is compensated by the weathercocking effect of the 
mizzen. By releasing the mizzen sheet the boat turns downwind easily, and 
vice versa.

So we always carry the mizzen, while the other sails (and mast) are used
when we want to!

Nice to be back on Paddlewise!

Tord,
Sweden

www.foldingkayaks.org/gallery/tord

And how we load the boat doesn't affect it at all - as the power of the 
rudder and the mizzen is far greater than the effect of the hull, or
equipment strapped to the forward deck!
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