Re: [Paddlewise] New Toys

From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:24:15 -0700
Craig Jungers wrote:

> Wing paddles look like... well... a wing. They have a turned-over leading
> edge that gives them an airfoil shape. But since an airfoil works on the
> principle of high and low pressure and water cannot be compressed (although,
> actually, I've done it - don't try it at home) I'm not sure how the airfoil
> shape enhances the action.

Great post, Craig -- found your blossoming love affair with a wing very 
intriguing.  If it gets you another half a knot with the same effort, I'm 
interested.

Small quibble, however:  water _is_ compressible ... just not as highly 
compressible as air.  And, you can definitely generate a high pressure 
within it ... or, a lower one.  The Bernoulli effect is live and well in 
water, and so is the "airfoil" effect.

Ostensibly, a wind paddle generates "lift," albeit not in a vertical 
direction, but along the longitudinal axis of the kayak ... and it does it 
using the effects of an airfoil.

Sounds like the wing is working for you.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Tue Aug 07 2007 - 17:24:21 PDT

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