Subject: baidarka R: R: stability/performance vs. flexibility
From: Stefano Moretti (stmoretti@tin.it)
Date: Sat Dec 30 2000 - 06:42:40 EST
I have now two rigid (s&glue plywood modified CLC kayaks) and one flexible
(nautiraid 420 touring) kayak. I can say that in rough, chopped, crossed
waves, the rigid ones have much more of a corky motion, uneasy and tricky,
deserving much more attetnion to odd movements. The flexible one (not much,
it is on the stiff side of foldables) seemed from the very first more at
ease although tested in 2 ft short waves only. I am now going for a double
22 footer, as I am thoroughly convinced of the inherent seawothiness of more
flex.
Furthermore, it doesn't slam and sound as a drum when driving hard against
short waves. Of course, less glide and speed, say over a knot, but boats
differ enormously in design.
Stefano
----- Original Message -----
From: Douglas and Leticia <huftdecruz@earthlink.net>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 5:37 AM
Subject: Re: baidarka R: stability/performance vs. flexibility
> on 12/28/00 3:48 PM, Peter A. Chopelas at pac@premier1.net wrote:
>
> > Stefano wrote:
> >
> >
> >> Boats are the evaluated against this designer statement. Does the boat
fill
> >> the purposes ? How much so ? Does it go beyond that goal, and how?
> >>
> >> I find this attitude pretty sound and useful. more than comparisons
that
> >> are not related to any specific goal.
> >
> >
> >
> > The problem is that there has been a lot of debate and speculation about
the
> > usefulness of a flexible hull in a traditional baidarka with no actual
> > knowledge or experience.
> >
> > So the questions I would hope to answer are: Is a flexible hull
beneficial
> > or not? If so under what conditions? Is this something that should be
> > designed into a hull and if so how much flex? Or is flex something that
> > should be eliminated at much as possible?
> >
> > So the basic question is is why should a designer want (or not want) a
> > flexible hull? And if so how do you determine how much flex is
desirable
> > for the conditions you are designing for?
> >
> > You are really reversing the question and asking "what is the boat for?"
I
> > am asking "what is flex good for?" a very different focus, and equally
> > important if you want to use all available knowledge in designing your
boat.
> >
> > Peter
> >
> > -
> > Baidarka Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be
> > reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's
permission
> > Submissions: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
> > Subscriptions: baidarka-request@lists.intelenet.net
> > Searchable archive: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka
> >
> >
> I learned what flex is good for when my 22' aluminum frame double baidarka
> was towed alongside a coastguard vessel at approximately a 45 degree angle
> while full of water for several miles . A lot of lessons were learned that
> day but the baidarka survived (admittedly it now has a bit more rocker
than
> when originally lashed). I am pretty sure a rigid glass boat would have
> faired much worse.
>
> Doug
>
> -
> Baidarka Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be
> reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's
permission
> Submissions: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
> Subscriptions: baidarka-request@lists.intelenet.net
> Searchable archive: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka
>
-
Baidarka Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be
reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's permission
Submissions: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions: baidarka-request@lists.intelenet.net
Searchable archive: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b27 : Mon Jan 01 2001 - 01:00:03 EST