Niels wrote: >>>>....I think that covers all objections so far. I'm hoping for more solid arguments: I was really hoping for a serious discussion on mechanics. I still MIGHT be wrong, even very wrong; but so far, I have no indication that I am.<<<<< Off the cuff, it seems to me that there IS potential energy stored by lifting the arms but I don't see any advantage to doing that since the paddle is nowhere near 100% efficient in transferring that energy into forward motion. Therefore, the more work you put into lifting the paddle the more energy you waste because of the lack of paddling efficiency gained in return for your efforts against gravity. If I'm correct about that, then other things being equal the less you work against gravity during your strokes the more efficient you should be. This is probably one of the reasons why a bent shaft canoe stroke is more efficient than a kayak paddle stroke, less energy wasted lifting the second paddle blade, hand, and arm against gravity and more of ones effort going to propelling the kayak horizontally through the water. *************************************************************************** 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 Apr 28 2011 - 06:12:48 PDT
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