Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 09:27:32 -0500
From: "Wolfgang Brinck" <wolfgang.brinck@hksystems.com>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: [baidarka] Paddle Prefs & Noise
Speaking of heavy paddles, I had the opportunity to handle a canoe
paddle that a friend had brought back from Papua New Guinea.
Unfortunately, he had to saw it in half to get it on the plane. I taped
the handle back on, not strong enough to paddle with, but strong enough
to get the feel and balance of the paddle.
The density of the wood was comparable to oak and the mass was mostly in
the blade. Swinging it through an imaginary stroke, I noticed that the
mass of the blade could be put to advantage if you were in a
semi-kneeling position, one knee on the floor of the canoe and the other
one up. In movies I have seen of people paddling dugouts, it was usually
a large number of paddlers in a long boat, moving quite fast and paddle
strokes short and quick, which makes sense since the faster you go, the
less time you have to keep your paddle in the water.
In this kind of situations, a paddle stroke is more like a quick jab at
the water than a slow pushing motion. So if your paddle is heavier, and
you accelerate it out of the water, you have more momentum to transfer
in a short time when you jab at the water than you would with a lighter
paddle. It's kind of like the idea of a hammer - you don't push the
nail, you accelerate the hammer and transfer all the momentum during a
short period of contact so that a heavier hammer is actually better,
assuming you have the strength to control it.
Wolfgang
Craig O'Donnell wrote:
>
> I just located a photo of a guy from Yap carrying a paddle. It's a nice
> clear photo and shows the paddle size and profile well. Sometime later in
> the week I'll scan it and anyone who'd like to take a look can drop me an
> email.
>
> At least one source states that paddles were made of [Pacific] rosewood but
> are often now made of lighter woods - not necessarily on Yap - don't recall
> the particular island. The implication is that the paddles were quite heavy
> compared to what we use.
>
> Craig O'Donnell
> The Proa FAQ <http://www.cyber-dyne.com/~jkohnen/proafaq.html>
> The Cheap Pages <http://www.friend.ly.net/user-homepages/d/dadadata/>
> Sailing Canoes, Polytarp Sails, Bamboo, Chinese Junks,
> American Proas, the Bolger Boat Honor Roll,
> Plywood Boats, Bamboo Rafts, &c.
> _________________________________
>
> -- Professor of Boatology
> -- Junkomologist
> -- Macintosh kinda guy
> Friend of Wanda the Wonder Cat, 1991-1997.
> _________________________________