I've discovered another fact of nature as well -- it's really hard to type when you're laughing this hard.

It sounds like it was all just her perception, which was certainly one of the valid answers to the question. ( I'll have to be quite careful about how I phrase that to her :0 )

Either that, or I've quite coincidentally co-discovered the fundamental mechanism behind the "Ginger" project.

>> Sanding in the opposite direction could probably slow the boat down.
GASP! oh, my. what effect will a random-orbital sander have? make it really maneuverable?
and what if I sand top-to-bottom? will it lift up and fly along like a hydrofoil? I think we're on to something here.

thanks for the posts (and the laughs).

: It seems to me that you have discovered a new force in nature -- something
: akin to gravity, magnetism and electricity: The positive power of sanding.
: I'm certain (well, almost certain) that the effort you invested in sanding
: was stored in the epoxy, much like a battery can store electricity, and
: that it helped propel your boat, providing your wilfe with an
: exceptionally smooth and rapid ride.

: Unfortunately, I am sure YOU will not be able to feel this energy flow as by
: now the force is certainly expended. Your only hope is to
: "recharge" this boat, or another one, by spending a few more
: hours in sanding. It seems like you only have the Tern to work on now, so
: devote your efforts there. pay attention to the direction you sand, as I
: am sure that this is important. Sanding in the opposite direction could
: probably slow the boat down.

: Since all this sanding will let you add energy to your boat, I'm sure you by
: now feel that all those drips are certainly a hidden blessing.

: If you have gotten this far without giggling, then I'm sorry. Actually the
: preceeding is in jest. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

: Sanding all the imperfections off of the hull might be great for a fractional
: amount of improved efficiency, but unless you are racing, or moving the
: boat at close to the theoretical maximum hull speed, then dings, blips,
: dripped varnish, etc. are just not going to be noticed by an average
: paddler -- and they will be trivial to a more experiwnced paddler.

: Big question here: did you clock the boat and check the actual speed, or is
: this just an impression? Personally, I suspect the latter.

: I can give a couple of "reasons" (actually they are guesses) as to
: why your wife thought the smaller boat went faster. The first thought is
: that this boat just fit her better. Perhaps she sat lower in the water, or
: had a narrower beam to deal with, and could dig in more with her paddle.

: Perhaps she is too light for the larger boat and wind and wave move it more
: than she can, so the smaller boat is more controlable. On the water, with
: nothing as a nearby visual reference, it is difficult to judge distance,
: and even more difficult to judge speed.

: If your only reference is the boat you are in, a shorter boat might seem to
: be moving faster than a longer one. If both boats are actually traveling
: at the same speed, the shorter boat travels its own length (a shorter
: distance) in a shorter period of time.

: Her height above the water might even influence her view of the surroundings,
: and her impression of speed, so it could be the seat height, or the
: displacement of the boat which matter.

: The point is, without an actual measurement this is of course a very
: subjective measurement.

: The other point is that your wife obviously likes this boat, so now it is
: hers. Should you ever borrow it, remark on its great speed. At every
: opportunity be certain to remind her that she got the best of the two
: boats that you built -- and that you planned it that way. By all means
: finish the thing by Valentines Day and put a big ribbon on it.

: Hope this helps

: Paul G. Jacobson