Re: WR 180 Broaching

Posted by LeeG on May 6, 2004

all long skinny things have a tendency to lay sideways to waves when not under steering control, whether it's a log or kayak. When the forces causing it to go sideways exceed the steering efforts folks will say "it's broaching". So the question is what are the methods of steering control and what aspects in a hull contribute to resisting control and what conditions exceed the paddlers ability to steer the kayak. 1.) it happens when waves are from the stern. Bow is descending a wave and begins to stick/bury a little, the stern is lifted,,presto,,the kayak is going sideways to the wave as the stern pivots around the bow. 2.) not really,,skegs are best suited to correcting wind/hull balance for weathercocking. The area of a skeg is VERY small compared to the entire hullshape,,the shape in the water is what you are paddling. 3.) not really, a rudder would help control the steering BEFORE it broaches, timing your strokes so you are going where you want BEFORE it broaches is one technique for steering. 4.) good question to ask someone who's paddled both kayaks in the same conditions who's got a familarity with rolling/bracing and other designs so that these differences could be articulated with specifics and not theoretical extrapolations.

In Response to: WR 180 Broaching by Scott on May 6, 2004

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