Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle cross sections

From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 12:14:57 -0500
On Dec 6, 2007, at 8:17 AM, James wrote:

> I certainly know nothing about paddle design or physics, but I have
> paddled a lot.  And no paddle "sticks" in the water the way my
> traditional paddle does.  It makes the water feel like cement.  I  
> use a
> rather "wingy" stroke but lower to the deck.  I had always guessed  
> that
> this solid feeling was due to a wing effect.  Now I know.

Have you ever tried a wing paddle? They do something a little beyond  
the fixed-in-cement feel. The blade actually exits the water ahead of  
where it enters. It is like concrete that is moving forward and  
requires a bigger engine to maintain a comfortable cadence.

  A blade specifically designed to maximize the lift effect will make  
a difference, but as you have noticed, the blade doesn't need to be  
an idealize foil shape to benefit from lift.

Nick




Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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Received on Thu Dec 06 2007 - 09:15:09 PST

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