: My Great Auk has climbed in weight to 75 lbs. (newbie epoxy
: mistakes, etc.... recessed carbon rim overbuilt.... )
: For me the main issue with weight is carrying it, and loading on my
: car racks. Once in the water the weight doesn't seem to be much
: of an issue.
: I have a plastic beater yak that is much lighter, but being much
: shorter isn't as fast as the longer heavier G Auk. I'm sure
: lighter is better, but on the water having or not having an
: extra pound or two on the stems probably doesn't matter
: much--except perhaps in competition.

: Adding the weight of cameras, etc.... also doesn't seem to be much
: of an issue unless they have to be carried or portaged with the
: kayak at the same time. (the bicycle rule is (or was) an ounce
: on the wheel is worth a pound on the frame. Perhaps for kayaks
: it might be 'ten pounds on my shoulder feels like one pound in
: the water.'

: I'm building a Mystery which is much narrower, so likely to be less
: stable. I'm wondering if there are any numbers (graphs) on the
: added stability of adding long narrow weights just inside the
: keel?

: I doubt anyone would want to glue down a lot of weight, but
: removable weight? Would 20 pounds add some stability? which
: could be carried in the car as an option on days the sea is
: rough. . . . .
: (The CG for a seated paddler though is probably the last vertebrae,
: and this can't be more than 4" from the bottom of the hull.
: At 180 lbs .....
: I think I just disproved my idea....
: Now that I'm rambling..... who's going to be the first to hack a
: Segway gyro and install it in a kayak? Nick, his brother, Tom
: Yost?

Going from a Great Auk to a Mystery I suspect you'll need to sharpen up your swimming skills unless you've got a great roll. Also your re-entry skills.

This is assuming you've not been cheating paddling OTB (other peoples boats).

Bill H.