Subject: Re: [baidarka] baidarka speeds
From: kschmidt (kschmidt@akutan.aesd.schoolaccess.net)
Date: Thu Sep 16 2004 - 16:24:39 EDT
> legendary aleutian ikyax in
>this thread. What in their design makes them paddle differently?
>
Yesterday I had the opportunity to compare the legendary Iqyax (made
with a bunch of help from Wolfgang) to the modern plastic Nigel
dennis explorer. Both boats afloat on the Bering Sea...side by
side...I enjoyed the feel of the Iqyax hands down..... and the
modern paddle..... I thought would win out... but it didn't.... the
traditional paddle with some modern "flutes" that Wolf put in, made
for a better draw...less resistance and it emerged clean and easy
from the water..... The thinner traditional paddle allowed for a
smoother ride and greater undisturbed tracking with each stroke and
greater speed in both the plastic and the skin on frame boat.
The tippy Iqyax might be a little less stable but the feel of the
water, the kelp as it passes beneath, the undulating hull as swell
and wave pass beneath..... I like the skin on frame iqyax - hands
down over the plastic.
In the skin on frame you can FEEL THE BOAT ON THE WATER... the
plastic boat gave me about the same sensory as I might get, dead in
my coffin.
The skin on frame feels faster and more responsive..... the skin on
frame just feels good.
Kurt
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