On 28-Jun-2004, "Mike Hackett" wrote:

Seems like it would be better to fully-deploy the skeg, if you are gong to
use it at all, and use paddling technique to keep you going straight.

If there is a wind from any direction other than straight ahead or straight
astern, your kayak is going to sideslip, regardless of skeg, rudder, keel
shape etc. What you want to do is minimize the sideslip. The problem with
fully deploying a skeg to do this is that it can lead to leecocking. So
the only logical thing to do is deploy the skeg only enough to provide a
reasonable amount of control and paddle away.

If you want to make a kayak more "efficient", you'll have to design it with a
means to minimize sideslip without allowing it to either weather- or leecock.
This means a keel or vertical fin that is closer to the center of gravity.
However, this may increase drag which in turn reduces the "efficiency".

Just set the skeg and enjoy the paddling. You'll be able to get more out of
improving your forward stroke than futzing with the skeg setting.

Mike

Michael Daly wrote in message
...
On 28-Jun-2004, "Mike Hackett" wrote:

Just set the skeg and enjoy the paddling. You'll be able to get more out
of
improving your forward stroke than futzing with the skeg setting.


Yeah, I don't like the futzing part, at all. That's why I want to put it all
the way down and leave it. So far I haven't encountered any conditions where
having it all the way down caused the boat to turn downwind. I've gotten the
impression the Caribou is a little bit more of a natural upwinder than many.

Mike

On 29-Jun-2004, "Mike Hackett" wrote:

I've gotten the
impression the Caribou is a little bit more of a natural upwinder than many.

I should have paid more attention to the fact you're talking about a Caribou S.
The Caribou S doesn't use a fin skeg and the hull is a significant V shape. As
such, with a bit of ballast in the rear it doesn't even need a skeg. Since
it's less dependent on the skeg, no matter what setting you use, it will
result in a less noticable change in performance than some other kayaks.
Try shifting some weight to the rear and skipping the skeg.

Mike

Michael Daly wrote in message
...
On 29-Jun-2004, "Mike Hackett" wrote:

I've gotten the
impression the Caribou is a little bit more of a natural upwinder than
many.

I should have paid more attention to the fact you're talking about a
Caribou S.
The Caribou S doesn't use a fin skeg and the hull is a significant V
shape. As
such, with a bit of ballast in the rear it doesn't even need a skeg.
Since
it's less dependent on the skeg, no matter what setting you use, it will
result in a less noticable change in performance than some other kayaks.
Try shifting some weight to the rear and skipping the skeg.

Huh, looks like a fin to me, kinda triangle-shaped. Whatever.

I do have to try the ballast technique, since many that have one of these
without the skeg say that's all it takes. I'm a bit skeptical, since those
skegless people can't actually be too objective about it, now can they? I
really don't want to end up doing that since it's just more to hassle with,
I don't want to transport it or hump it on my shoulder with that extra
weight in there. My kayaking consists of nothing but unloaded few-hour
trips, no expeditions.

I'm also wondering what detriment paddling that extra weight around is when
you don't really need it. And exactly how much it changes the attitude of
the boat, does it assume a goofy bow up/stern down angle.

Mike

On 30-Jun-2004, "Mike Hackett" wrote:

Huh, looks like a fin to me, kinda triangle-shaped. Whatever.

T'ain't a fin, but a flat triangular plate. Some kayaks have a fin shaped
skeg that sticks way down when fully deployed, others use the little
triangle like the Caribou S and Gulfstream.

I do have to try the ballast technique, [...]
I don't want to transport it or hump it on my shoulder with that extra
weight in there.

Get some big bottles from the recycling bin and fill them with water when
you get to the launch. Dump the water when you're done.

I'm also wondering what detriment paddling that extra weight around is when
you don't really need it. And exactly how much it changes the attitude of
the boat, does it assume a goofy bow up/stern down angle.

It'll change your trim a bit but whether it adds significant drag is another
story. If it's really significant, you've got way too much ballast. I seem
to remember folks suggesting about 20 lb (ten liters of water) in the rear
compartment. YMMV

The extra water will also increase the stability a tad.

Mike

"Michael Daly" wrote in message
...
On 30-Jun-2004, "Mike Hackett" wrote:


I do have to try the ballast technique, [...]
I don't want to transport it or hump it on my shoulder with that extra
weight in there.

Get some big bottles from the recycling bin and fill them with water when
you get to the launch. Dump the water when you're done.

I'm also wondering what detriment paddling that extra weight around is
when
you don't really need it. And exactly how much it changes the attitude
of
the boat, does it assume a goofy bow up/stern down angle.

It'll change your trim a bit but whether it adds significant drag is
another
story. If it's really significant, you've got way too much ballast. I
seem
to remember folks suggesting about 20 lb (ten liters of water) in the rear
compartment. YMMV

The extra water will also increase the stability a tad.

I've read those bladders from 5-liter wine boxes work well. Although not
easy to fill without a faucet handy. Anyway, whatever is involved is the
hassle I was talking about. After three years of rigging rudder and seats
and other stuff for my Folbot on-site, I'm really enjoying carrying this
boat to the water, plopping it in, plopping my butt in the seat, and
paddling away.

Well anyway, got a few things to try on my next voyages, keeps things
interesting. Thanks for the info, everyone.

Mike

On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 04:35:05 GMT, "Mike Hackett"
wrote:



I've read those bladders from 5-liter wine boxes work well. Although not
easy to fill without a faucet handy. Anyway, whatever is involved is the
hassle I was talking about. After three years of rigging rudder and seats
and other stuff for my Folbot on-site, I'm really enjoying carrying this
boat to the water, plopping it in, plopping my butt in the seat, and
paddling away.

Gallon water jugs worked wonders for me in solo canoeing downstream
upwind. That can really suck. It only takes a minute or two at the
putin and takeout to fill and empty them. You might be okay with just
one gallon. Nothing like trying to put together a Folbot. Nothing
like even going and getting the second bag of stuff for the Folbot
down to join the first one by the putin.
--
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