In a message dated 12/13/2007 12:25:04 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, jpylka_at_earthlink.net writes: <snip> > Though he carries a paddle on board, I've never seen him use it. > One additional thought; without a paddle how does one brace? Well, you really don't. The Hobies are basically sit-on-tops with a very broad beam at the deck level. They have a narrower rounded hull underneath. The broad beam acts sort of like sponsons when the boat is edged. They can be capsized however, as we have demonstrated many times while horsing around. It usually occurs when you are going full speed and then throw it into a tight turn. Centrifugal force or over compensation can put you into a roll situation. Breaking waves I'm sure could also do the trick. However, under normal use in calm to choppy conditions, they are fine. If you want more stability, some of the models can be outfitted with one or two outriggers. In response to the question on the vulnerability of the flippers, yes they can be folded while underway. By holding your legs in a certain position (one leg fully extended, the other fully retracted) the flippers are placed as close to flat against the hull as they can get. This gives you your minimum draft (maximum clearance). It is also possible, though awkward, to yank out the entire flipper mechanism while on the water. I wouldn't recommend this normally as it would be very easy to drop the whole $500 device overboard and then you would be up the proverbial creek without a flipper! Mark Goff **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Dec 13 2007 - 01:57:58 PST
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