: Planning my first float in the Sea Rider I built last winter, All
: the required paper work has been filed with the state, PFD has
: been purchased, and a quiet spot for the first time, but a
: couple a terms i've read come to mind like initial and secondary
: stability are stuck in my mind, are these a concern or a plus? I
: think i still know how to swim. Any hints would be helpfull,
: Thank u, Kevin

Initial stability is the tendency of the kayak to remain level with the water. A lot of it gives a nice feeling of security for a beginning paddler. When a power boat roars by close the wave will pick up the kayak and the kayak will rock as it tries to follow the curve of the wave passing below. A kayak with less initial stability will just bob over the wave like a cork, remaining substantially upright for a more comfortable ride.

The secondary stability comes into the picture when you get more confidence and start to heel into a turn or watch the waterlife beneath you. Too little stability and you’ll join them. With some paddling experience you soon learn it is more important than primary stability.

Obviously a kayak that is intended to roll is not going to have a lot of either initial or secondary stability.

As Pete pointed out, the stability of a small boat is affected by the paddler’s weight, height and general build, though less so for a boat with high stability.

Despite its narrow beam the Sea Rider should have decent stability. The role of the paddle in maintaining balance is often overlooked.

For the first time the challenge is getting in (and often staying in) with grace and dignity. It’s a bit like sitting on a swing, it wants to skitter away, and hanging onto the paddle complicates things even more: and we all get wet some of the time . . .

Terry