Re: [Paddlewise] Wing paddle and hull speed was (Re: Who Took Shaun White Sea Kayaking?)

Seaworthy means more than just not sinking.  For instance, a boat that
requires constant effort on one side in a cross wind is not seaworthy, nor is
a lee-cocker that cannot be turned up wind.  Nor is one that quickly broaches
in following conditions.  Nor is one that is so tender it requires constant
vigilance.

Seakindly seems to me just an expression of personal preference.  Is Freya's
Epic more or less seakindly than her Explorer?  Is your Mariner II more or
less seakindly than your Coaster?  Is Doug's Nordkapp more seakindly with its
rudder than without?

If responsiveness means easy turning, then a white water boat is more
responsive than a sea kayak.  I would much prefer the Mariner II to the more
responsive Coaster for travelling A to B.  A surf ski that quickly picks up
the smallest following sea is extremely responsive, yet difficult to turn.


On Feb 22, 2010, at 12:09 AM, MATT MARINER BROZE wrote:

> Seaworthy means that the boat doesn't sink. Seakindly is a more descriptive
term. It means the boat handles the conditions found on the sea with gentle
"kindly" motions and a dry ride. A boat that feels good in those conditions is
one that takes care of you and you don't have to fight with. To me, responsive
means a kayak that can turn quickly and one that responds to a lean by turning
readily. I find kayaks that are responsive when leaned, and will also track
reasonably well in difficult conditions, the easiest to handle in rougher
water (helping to make them "seakindly").
>
> Long kayaks with vertical ends, little rocker, little flare, and with flat
sides near the ends are not likely to be very sea kindly. The long kayak with
little rocker sometimes has the narrow ends picked up by two waves and the
middle is left partially hanging between the waves (think turkey on a spit)
making them very tippy at that point. Vertical ended, long waterline length,
kayaks are not likely to be responsive to turning. Large flat vertical areas
at the bow and stern (a common occurance with a kayak with straight vertical
ends because then much flare is difficult to have at the bow and stern) get
slapped about by crossing waves much more than flared end kayaks that are as
much lifted by those side waves as slapped sideways by them. Other things
being equal, longer kayaks are also harder to turn in strong winds, especially
when unloaded and in bigger wind waves, because of the long lever arm offered
to the wind.
>
> Most shorter kayaks (of reasonable hull shape) are easier to paddle than the
longest sea kayaks up to the 4 to 4.5 knot range. . I seriously doubt Freya
maintained more than 4.5 knots for any length of time with a gear loaded
kayak. She carried all her gear for 80 percent of her epic journey. Gee, maybe
she chose an Epic kayak for the apt name;-)
>
> > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Wing paddle and hull speed was (Re: Who Took
Shaun White Sea Kayaking?)
> > From: gfoodma_at_earthlink.net
> > Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:41:37 -0800
> > CC: crjungers_at_gmail.com; marinerkayaks_at_msn.com; paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
> > To: douglloyd_at_shaw.ca
> >
> > Doug wrote:
> > > I'm still looking for a fast sea kayak with a good top end, that has a
sea
> > > kindly ride, low windage, responsive with some stability, and allows for
an
> > > upright stroke when required.
> >
> > I have trouble with the notions of "seakindliness" and "responsive". Do
they actually mean anything that different paddlers can agree on?
> >
> > For fast but non-racing, there are the three ruddered, plumb bow boats
that come to mind; Epic 18, QCC Q700, and Nemo/Marlin. Whether they are
seakindly or responsive I could not say, though I own a Q700. Doug, is your
old Nordkapp seakindly and responsive?
> >
> > Jerry
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