[Paddlewise] built in rudders

PeterO wrote,
> A couple of us were wondering if fixing the rudder in this "dead ahead" 
> manner would increase the hull's limiting speed, or whether it's >really 
> the cockpit to bow length that tends to govern a kayak's hull speed? In 
> other words would removing the rudder slow the boat down >on a calm water 
> surface with negligible wind or current.


This type of rudder only affects the wavemaking resistance if it effectively 
increases the waterline length. In most cases they lack sufficient volume to 
have much effect. (I am not familiar with this boat so cannot say what 
happens to it specifically). There is a technique for determining effective 
waterline length but I wince every time I use it particularly in the stern 
where the buttock slope may be more important.

One other note, the waterline length is not a speed limiting factor although 
it does affect wavemaking resistance. Confusing? The so called "hull speed" 
is not a limit. It is just a point where the wave created by the boat equals 
the effective waterline length. At this speed wavemaking resistance may be 
at its maximum but one can usually go much faster.

Cheers

John Winters
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