Re: [Paddlewise] pressurize the boat

A skilled paddler should be able to estimate wave height and wind speeds 
reasonably accurately. The two kayakers were supposed to be fairly advanced, 
though 8 years of paddling experience may or may not have provided the 
necessary accumulation of attributes. I guess my real point was the media 
seem responsible for inflating wave heights - usually. Don't ask me how I 
know.

Your points were taken under good advisement, however. Glad we have 
experienced mariners on this list.

Doug L


> On 4/2/07, Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> wrote:
>>
>>
>> BTW, I doubt the wave height were as the reporter described. Most media
>> reporting add an exaggerating factor. I always prefer authors and
>> reporters
>> to downgrade to as close as possible the real wave heights/wind velocity.
>
>
> I believe almost everyone overestimates wave height but not on purpose. 
> Part
> of the reason is that one seldom has a level platform from which to make 
> the
> estimate. One's platform is usually tipping one way or the other. If your
> bow is headed for the trough of a wave and you look at the top of the
> approaching crest it appears higher because the angle of your head is
> farther up due to the bow of the kayak pointing down to the trough. This
> increased angle causes most of us to think that the approaching wave is
> higher than if you were level looking up at a normal angle.
>
> And there is always the pucker factor.
>
>
> Craig Jungers
> Royal City, WA
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