Message-Id: <m0rmeCI-00049BC@rsoft.rsoft.bc.ca>
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 95 01:07 PST
To: baidarka@imagelan.com
From: mark_stirling@mindlink.bc.ca (Mark Stirling)
Subject: Bifid bows
I find it interesting that George Dyson notes the "twig" across the
bow to be baleen - a strong elastic material. This would in fact strengthen
the bow piece cantilever style from wave pressure on top when plunging into
waves.
It is important to consider bow design with the conditions that
determine it. I have paddled a wood boat of narrow design on the west coast
for a number of years and this boat has a low volume bow. With a following
sea I have had kelp get caught on deck and had to back out. A bifid bow
would be no more likely to catch than a solid one if bow volume is low.
Historically when sea otters were more plentiful so were kelp beds.
This is because sea otters eat red urchins which prevent kelp from
establishing itself. This means that much of the coastline would have more
protected landing spots behind kelp beds which absorb a great deal of the
wave energy. I'm sure otter hunters would have designs that would function
well in kelp beds as this is where otters are frequently found.
The problem of bow design is not simple. I have asked a number of
modern lower mainland Vancouver and also Victoria commercial kayak designers
to suggest how I could improve the bow and stern design of my own boat so it
would not dive into waves (perling), broach less and I received a variety
of answers. Some go for a high volume bow, the problem here is that too
much volume stops you dead and you lose forward momentum but get a dry ride.
A low volume bow cuts through the wave but can dig in and broach more
easily and also tends to give a wet ride.
The illustrations I have seen of baidarka being paddled show a wet
ride. The bifid bow seems to be a compromise between getting adequate lift
at the bow and still preserving the momentum. The only time trouble with
catching things really happens is coming into a kelp bed with a following
sea and this happens whether the bow is split or not!