Alex Horvath wrote in
om:

Peter,

I have a kayak book (I think it's Derek Hutchinson's) which states
that there is really no reason to use a narrow kayak for touring.
He implied that the risk of capsize is too great and self rescue
techniques are only reliable in calm protected waters. I think he
defines narrow as less than 23".

The guy on the Caske site says the same thing. Apparently he was
paddling a wide folding boat whereas his partner (who was quite
experienced I gathered) was paddling a performance fiberglass
craft and in rough seas the latter regularly capsized, even to the
point of exhaustion.

On the other hand people regularly take the high performance craft
on expeditions in rough seas. One example is the Nordkapp which in
experienced hands is supposed to be one of the most sea worthy
kayaks. I guess NDK would claim that in rough seas the wider kayak
tends to tilt on the face of a wave whereas the Nordkapp would
remain more upright.

It is my understanding that a round-bottomed boat will be easier
to hold upright on the side of a wave, while a flat-bottomed boat
will want to conform to the slope of the wave under it. The assumes
that you are broadside to the wave. I don't know that the width of
the boat would have as much to do with it.

Having waves approach from the bow (or stern), I can't see how the
width of the boat would make much difference. I could be wrong
(probably am, in fact). I would suspect that the narrower boat would
be generally less stable than the wider boat -- if everything else
was equal! (Which it never is.)

Perhaps it just boils down to experience level. What do you think
about this issue? I did not read the articles/info on your website
in great detail but apparently the speed difference between these
boats is not that great. If this is true, than can narrow kayaks
be considered as seaworthy or even more so than wider kayaks?


I suspect experience as the deciding factor -- or more precisely,
skill level. I know of some kayakers with several years' experience
who still lack the skill or some other kayakers who have only been
doing it for a year or so. Skill or natural ability, I'm not sure.

--
Darryl