: Greetings!

: In the Lo-Volume Cirrus thread it has been stated that most yakkers are out
: there blatantly paddling around with more volume than they need for most
: trips. I wish to learn the ramifications of such behavior, and not knowing
: where else to turn I put it to this most excellent board. My first guess
: is that a high volume boat without a load in it gets blown around by the
: wind more. Second guess is that first guess is only part of it, if part of
: it at all. Thank you all for adding to my knowledge, easy as it is to do.

: Cheers,
: Kurt Maurer

Yes. Definitely less affected by wind since the lower freeboard has less windage. Other benefits of lower volume include: Being able to get to speed and maintain speed with less effort. Giving better control of the boat without having to apply much force/energy to toes and knees/thighs to effect a lean in beamy seas and winds -- simply add a little weight to one side of the other of the buttocks. Making rolls and "amphibious moves" much easier which leave you half in and half out of the water and able to breathe. You can literally float and rest with the boat on its side and you on your back with very no effort.

What's the downside? You can't take the kitchen sink with you. It's a wetter ride in larger waves and stronger winds. It feels tippier until you get used to it and, relatedly, not confidence inspiring unless you have confidence in your rolls. With confidence in your rolls, the boat will allow you to do more rolls and other maneuvers that will change your perspective from just capsized or upright to seeing that there is a continuum of the relationship between paddler, boat and the water.

sing