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#1
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Boat-related: are spoon paddles more efficient or not, and why?
{ Note: this concerns paddles as in the oars used with non-motorized
canoe/rowboat/kayak type boats.... } My first thought is that there's not much reason a paddle blade curved either direction (forwards or backwards relative to the stroke direction) would matter--it sweeps the same volume either way. At the same time though, I do know that spoon oars are considered more efficient. The $250 carbon-fiber kayak paddle I bought has spooned blades. Rowing sculls use spooned blades. As I shop online I see that all the cheapest plastic rowboat oars are flat, and the more-expensive composite and wooden ones tend to be spooned. -------- I guess what I have is a "Euro"-style paddle, according to this page: http://www.roguepaddler.com/choose2.htm I have seen pics of Greenland-style paddles online, but I'm not sure I've seen a wing paddle yet. Also that page notes that the narrower straight Greenland paddles are the best for longer-distance rowing.... and they are straight. ?:| ? ~ |
#2
posted to rec.boats.building
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Boat-related: are spoon paddles more efficient or not, and why?
On Wed, 04 Aug 2010 07:11:49 -0500, DougC
wrote: { Note: this concerns paddles as in the oars used with non-motorized canoe/rowboat/kayak type boats.... } My first thought is that there's not much reason a paddle blade curved either direction (forwards or backwards relative to the stroke direction) would matter--it sweeps the same volume either way. At the same time though, I do know that spoon oars are considered more efficient. The $250 carbon-fiber kayak paddle I bought has spooned blades. Rowing sculls use spooned blades. As I shop online I see that all the cheapest plastic rowboat oars are flat, and the more-expensive composite and wooden ones tend to be spooned. -------- I guess what I have is a "Euro"-style paddle, according to this page: http://www.roguepaddler.com/choose2.htm I have seen pics of Greenland-style paddles online, but I'm not sure I've seen a wing paddle yet. Also that page notes that the narrower straight Greenland paddles are the best for longer-distance rowing.... and they are straight. ?:| ? ~ I believe that the "spoon" oars originated with the rowing competitors in an attempt to get every ounce of thrust from the oars possible. See http://www.rowableclassics.com/album...rs-private.htm for some examples. Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) |
#3
posted to rec.boats.building
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Boat-related: are spoon paddles more efficient or not, and why?
Doug,
The spool oar or paddle is used to make the blade spill less in its arch through the water. Some are spooled only in the axis and some both ways so the look more like a large cooking utensil. Does it spill less ? Yes, kind of like the winglets on an aircraft. In a skull, they also SEEM (to me) to make the entry more critical and the exit less clean. Spooning and large blades are of value only in very highly loaded situations. If it is a paddle for a racing kayak, it is possibly worth doing, but if you are headed out to camp on the other side of a large body of water - probably not so worth doing. Everything is a compromise. I have made oars and paddles varying from "show shovel" to nearly a flat stick (more like a greenland). It all depends on what you are going to do with it and what your preferences are. I come from a long line of builders and watermen. In the last six decades, I have made or modified and unknown number of oars and paddles of almost all the materials ever used. I am also educated as a naval architect and marine engineer that quit racing shells, canoes and kayaks a very long time ago. Good Luck The old waterman On 8/4/2010 8:11 AM, DougC wrote: { Note: this concerns paddles as in the oars used with non-motorized canoe/rowboat/kayak type boats.... } My first thought is that there's not much reason a paddle blade curved either direction (forwards or backwards relative to the stroke direction) would matter--it sweeps the same volume either way. At the same time though, I do know that spoon oars are considered more efficient. The $250 carbon-fiber kayak paddle I bought has spooned blades. Rowing sculls use spooned blades. As I shop online I see that all the cheapest plastic rowboat oars are flat, and the more-expensive composite and wooden ones tend to be spooned. -------- I guess what I have is a "Euro"-style paddle, according to this page: http://www.roguepaddler.com/choose2.htm I have seen pics of Greenland-style paddles online, but I'm not sure I've seen a wing paddle yet. Also that page notes that the narrower straight Greenland paddles are the best for longer-distance rowing.... and they are straight. ?:| ? ~ |
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