Re: fastest kayak?

Posted by Jim E on Nov 3, 2006

I would not go looking for that drag reduction effect, because skin friction will mask it. The force due to skin friction is proportional to the square of the speed, which means that the rate of energy expended to overcome it goes up with the cube of the speed.

Ignoring other forms of drag, each time you double your power output, your speed will increase by roughly a quarter. That's why it's hard to get from 5 to 6 knots.

A real-world example of wave-cancelling drag reduction is found in the bulbous bows of large ships. The bulb generates a wave which is out of phase with the main bow-wave at cuising speed, thus reducing it's size.

In Response to: Re: fastest kayak? by Camper on Nov 2, 2006

Replies:

• Re: fastest kayak? by Camper on Nov 3, 2006
  • Re: fastest kayak? by Jim E on Nov 3, 2006