BCITORGB wrote:
Wolfgang opines:
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So, what's the worst that can happen? You die, right?

Wolfgang
um.......you won't sue me, will you?
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On the second point, my name's neither Tinker nor Weiser.

On the first point, in light of the reaction you got on the Florida
accident thread, I'll just leaving sleeping dogs lie. My theoretical
abstractions never include death, but, with reality, you can never be
sure.

Wilf

Now BCITORGB, or is it Wilf, or frtwz906, I dont know who you really
are to file any legal papers, so you are safe for the time being!

I can't speak for SW, whether he knows anything about putting rocks in
kayaks or not. I know I would not recommend it, especially if you just
load the bottom of the boat with loose stones. Big problems result, in
a kayak that perchance should roll, and the inside of the top, becomes
the inside of the bottom, now all loaded down with all those loose
stones. Makes rolling back up with you on now the bottom, upside down
very difficult, as in how long can you hold your breath!

Even a wet exit and subsequent attempt to drain boat that is now full
of water, in addition to all those rocks, may be difficult if not
impossible to T-Bone your kayak if you have assistance, or especially
self rescuing. In other words, the solution for wrong design, is not to
upset the design stability of the boat, by loading the keel with
ballast.

Unnecessary dead weight adversely affect the design characteristics of
the boat, the limit of the offset is dependent on your paddling skill
and strength. I suspect that what the riverman can manage is a distant
vision for most of us mere mortals. The only solution is a different
design, or as has been recommended moving the live weight nearer the
center of effort, or the center of motion back to the center of effort,
which is you.

The easiest design change would be a larger rudder in your boat, which
would require more leg strength and action to maintain control. Don't
think of the rudder as a steering device, but as a trim device, to
control windage or current. Most paddle boats, even with rudder are
best steered with proper paddling technique, not the rudder!

An additional device that I have heard of, though not seen, is a strap
on skeg. Though the strap creates some additional drag, it would be a
small price to pay, for the increase in control under the windy
conditions. Also the skeg works better than the rudder if there is wave
action that is lifting the rudder clear of the water. The rudder does
no good when out of the water, and can actually act as a sail under the
"wrong" conditions. Causing even more steering difficulties, so the
first option of a larger rudder can also be counter-productive. Plus
for the rudder to be effective, you must maintain forward motion that
becomes less in abundance as you try to paddle into a head wind or
cross wind, and the boat tries to turn down wind.

The third option is to stay home with a cup of warm chocolate, setting
in the easy chair. Now the suggestor of these suggestions, accepts no
liabilities for any of the above recommendation, and all
recommendations are subject to peer review. Hence there can be no law
suits, or wet suits, or dry suits filed that would hinder your
enjoyment, or my enjoyment of the compromises of life!

BTW give a trip report of your weekend travels! TnT