Re: PAX 18 for Touring

Posted by LeeG on Aug 7, 2004

The Chesapeakes don't have rounded hulls,,they're four panels in a distinct prismatic shape. The strong points being load carrying capacity, primary stability, and straight line tracking/speed. In comparison to the "typical" hard-chine kayak they really don't turn that readily with a hard lean but that attribute is one that most beginners find disconcerting in that a kayak that changes course easily "doesn't go straight!". The Pax18 is technically a four-panel hull but if you look at it's cross-section on the Pax page it looks like the bottom four panels of a very big eight panel hull. So you get the efficiency of a more rounded hull section but lose the wave handling characteristics and greater displacement possible with more freeboard. If you imagine adding two more panels on either side onto the Pax18 hull shape to finish the configuration of a multichine it'll make sense.

"racing characteristics" can vary from a racing hull used in flat water or one in ocean conditions. Common characteristics to both is minimal wetted area for a given waterline and a very rounded hull shape using fixed footbraces with a racing rudder. If you are new to paddling then looking for a race specific design is a mistake in that the skills necessary to utilize the racing hull occur AFTER other necessary skills are developed. In all likelyhood a limited racing hull will keep you out of the conditions in which you are most likely to learn the most useful skills. LT17 or WR18 make a lot more sense.

In Response to: Re: PAX 18 for Touring by Rich on Aug 6, 2004

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