William R. Watt wrote:
in my experience kayaks are faster than
canoes, their main attraction as far as I can tell.

While this is certainly what attracts some kayakers, I'd say the main
attractions vs. canoes are the kayaks inherent seaworthiness and it's
ability to handle a broad rain of weather and water conditions with
aplomb. Kayaks make paddling in rough condition not only possible, but
fun. I don't see many canoeists paddling in 3'-4'+ seas or 15-20+ knot
winds (actually, I've never seen any), but it's a blast in a kayak. The
same boat can be used for a quiet, relaxing cruise around an estuary to
snap a few nature photos. Although I've seen photos of canoeists playing
in surf, I've never seen anyone do it, but we do it all the time in kayaks.

Of course, I'm talking about sea kayaks, rather than recreational or
whitewater boats. I'm also leaving out the class of boats like the
Kruger "canoes", which are canoes in name only and have more in common
with kayaks.

Brian Nystrom ) writes:

While this is certainly what attracts some kayakers, I'd say the main
attractions vs. canoes are the kayaks inherent seaworthiness and it's
ability to handle a broad rain of weather and water conditions with
aplomb.

I'd have to agree that the watertightness of a kayak is its second major
attraction, second only because all kayaks are faster than canoes while
not all kayaks are acquired for watertightness. It would be interesting to
know what proportion of kayak paddlers use spray skirts.

Of course, I'm talking about sea kayaks, rather than recreational or
whitewater boats. I'm also leaving out the class of boats like the
Kruger "canoes", which are canoes in name only and have more in common
with kayaks.

I'm of the opinion that if its paddled with a double bladed paddle, kayak
stlye, then it's a kayak. That includes undecked open "canoes" like the
Rushton Wee Lassie and excludes decked white water and sailing canoes.
It's the paddle, not the deck. One canoe club that TF Jones mentions has
that as a rule in their club races. You can't enter a canoe race with a
kayak paddle. If you want to use a kayak paddle you race with the kayaks.



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Speed VS Horsepower

Here is the data on Mike Daly's website converted into horsepower using a
conversion factor I worked out which gives hp = kt x lb x 0.003072.
I also added the speed in mph using mph = kt x 1.15 for people who
are not used to speed in knots.


Speed
kt mph Endurance Nordcapp Solstice A. Hawk Sonoma Winters
2 2.3 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.005 0.012
3 3.45 0.019 0.017 0.019 0.018 0.017 0.025
4 4.6 0.044 0.044 0.045 0.044 0.047 0.066
4.5 5.18 0.065 0.073 0.073 0.065 0.096 0.111
5 5.75 0.099 0.124 0.124 0.095 0.179 0.215
6 6.9 0.208 0.265 0.262 0.208 0.266 0.535


comments:

1. 1/20 hp = 0.05 hp which puts an average canoeist (Winters) at about 3.5 mph
and a kayaker at 4.5 mph in a dead calm.

2. an athlete can sustain 1/4 hp = 0.25 hp which puts the athlete
at about 6 mph in a canoe and 7 mph or more in a kayak.

3. a solo paddler can't go 7 mph in a canoe but a canoe can have 2
paddlers and that means more surface friction.

4. to go 7 mph the paddlers in the second fastest pair of kayaks have
to work about 30% harder than the paddlers in the fastest pair of kayaks.

5. it's a shame we don't have the resistance broken down into
friction and wave-making. That would be interesting to examine.


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