Re: [Paddlewise] Boats

On Fri, Apr 10, 2009 at 12:14 PM, Mark Sanders <sandmarks_at_ca.rr.com> wrote:

> Below is a copy of my trip report on a workout paddle we did last night. It
> was my first chance really to see how my new boat performed keeping up to
> speed. Although I admit to a few different varialbes, it seemed to me no
> doubt that my Tempest is quite slower than my QCC. Guess I'll have to take
> them both out with the GPS to see how they differ. Still, I was surprised
> by
> the difference I perceived. Maybe the hull experts out there can clue me
> in.
> At least it gives me a new respect for the Lollygagger.
>

Well, first of all you have the wrong idea about what makes a good "workout
boat". I watch so many people spend huge amounts of money on their "workout
boat" only to go so fast that they really get practically no workout at all.
Before they know it they're at the end of the lake or bay or ocean and it's
time to go home. Worse yet, if there is much wind or sea they have to turn
around and go home before they launch, thereby getting *actually* no workout
at all. No, a fast boat is not the ideal workout boat. Ideally, you'd just
paddle the dock (making sure that it's well tethered to the shore). This has
many advantages; not the least of which is that you can have sandwiches and
beer handy; not to mention a toilet. And when you're nicely pooped out you
just stand up and walk back to the car. You can ignore those folks making
the nasty remarks about the idiot paddling the dock; that's what I do.

See? You get a nice workout and don't actually have to go anywhere. I
suppose you could arrange an comfy chair out there on the dock too. Maybe a
TV set or FM radio or something.

You are on the right track though. Selecting a plastic boat and GP paddles
gives you an enormous advantage over more efficient and speedy transport.
The other paddlers may get back first but who gets the best workout? Why,
it's you, of course. :)

So, having said that I have to say that I find plastic boats incredibly
slow, too. It might be that all of my plastic boats are white water kayaks
and none are longer than about 11 feet. It also might be that paddling them
in a straight line is only possible if you focus intently on the bow of the
boat and never, ever, stop paddling. (You should try the RPM Max for a
workout boat, actually!!!) It also might have something to do with the fact
that the bottoms are all scratched and roughed up from launching over rock
ledges and stuff. But that just adds to their value as a workout boat.

I can sympathize with your fatigue issues. I'm just now getting on the water
regularly myself. The winter was long and nasty and I lost all my cross
country ski gear in the shop fire so I spent way too much time on the sofa.

Hang in there... and if you find a good workout dock keep it a secret or all
your friends will be hogging it.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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