Subject: RE: baidarka stability
From: Peter A. Chopelas (pac@premier1.net)
Date: Mon Dec 18 2000 - 18:48:46 EST
Fraser Howell wrote:
> This thing tried to drown me every time I took it out.
> My question is should I persevere with it, or get a beamier boat to
> learn on?
Fraser,
I think it is best to learn on the boat you are going ot keep. The
quickest and easiest way to get to use your new kayak is to build a quick
and dirty "outrigger" float system made from junk you have laying around.
I built one for my 10 year old daughter to use with the miniature kayak I
build for her until she was more comfortable in it.
The out rigger is just a 4 foot long 1"x4" plank with a plastic 2 liter
beverage bottle duct taped to each end (plastic electrical tape also works,
it just takes more wraps). The outrigger assembly is just bungy corded
around the hull of the kayak just behind the cock pit. If your rear deck
has a ridge (as my daughter's kayak does) you will have to also tape small
foam blocks to the outrigger cross member where it passes over the
gunwales.
As you get more comfortable with the kayak, you can move the "floats"
further inboard. With enough time practicing balance and bracing, you can
remove them altogether. Before you know it, you will wonder why you needed
the training wheels at all!
Peter.
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