Re: [Paddlewise] baidarka bow styles

> --- Paul Montgomery <paul_at_paddleandoar.com> wrote:
>> But my ultimate
>> question was "does
>> anyone have any experience in those differences"?
>

On Aug 8, 2007, at 9:19 AM, Harvey Golden wrote:
> So, that said, each bow-shape likely worked
> just fine or it probably would not have been made that
> way.  I can't comment on one bow form being better
> than another for modern use because these are just
> minute elements of much larger systems-- and besides,
> 'modern use is a tremendous variable, nevermind
> factors of personal preference.
> All the best,
> harvey
>

Very true, those kayaks have other features besides the bifid bow.  
Hull shape etc play perhaps an even bigger part in performance. It is  
the kind of thing that I would expect to find more information about  
though. Especially in context of modern kayaks based on the  
traditional designs.

I know that kayak makers can sometimes obsess over performance  
details that don't really matter as much as say, fitness or the skill  
of the paddler. I certainly am not trying to be that way. But I  
notice how kayak builders also tend to 'revere' the traditional (I  
confess that I do) and so I suspect that by challenging the old  
designs a new appreciation would develop.

Perhaps I could rephrase my question or better yet put forth a series  
of questions.
- On a kayak with all other elements being the same would there be a  
discernible difference between the 3 types of bows.
- On a kayak with a Greenland style of hull, would a baidarka bow  
have a discernible effect.
- On a baidarka style hull, would a 'standard' bow be 'just as good'  
as the baidarka bow.

I would like to work on these projects myself, and may, but in my  
shop things happen slowly since I am the only designer / builder /  
clean-up crew. I just thought that others may have some kind of  
experience or curiosity here.

Paul Montgomery
paul_at_paddleandoar.com
http://paddleandoar.com
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************