Re: [Paddlewise] Outside vs. Inside Edge for Turning in Surf

   In performance paddlecraft surfing (not sea kayaks) one turns on a 
wave using a brace on the side of the turn to pivot the boat in that 
direction with the knees and hips while dropping the rail the craft on 
the same side to make the boat carve the turn - we don't "rudder" the 
turn. When I surf sea kayaks I tend to still try to pivot the boat 
around the paddle as I feel this provides a more powerful turn, even 
though the sea kayak lacks the ability to carve.

   I've been trying to figure out what the benefits of edging the boat 
away from the turn would be. Edging is edging, so putting the boat on 
edge to either side should help the boat turn some. I suppose that 
edging the boat to the outside of the turn might help expose the rounded 
hull at the bow to the turn and prevent water from catching the edge, 
thus facilitating the turn, except that on a wave the bow of the sea 
kayak is, more times then not, out of the water anyway. As the angle of 
the boat becomes more acute on the wave one is threaten with a broach 
and edging the boat to the outside of the attempted turn, or down wave, 
exposes the chine to catching the oncoming water which greatly increases 
the chance of capsize.

   I can't see any advantage to edging to the outside of the turn on a 
wave over edging to the inside. But if you think it's working for you 
then knock yourself out.

Scott
So.Cal.
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