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Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
By:Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks
Date: 7/22/2015, 5:58 pm
In Response To: Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka (Rober W)

However, let's go back to the main thesis this thread started with - the Nova insinuation about the 'supernatural' speed of Aleut boats - an insinuation that is obviously false.

Yes, the tone of the show is a little hyperbolic. I believe the Aleuts were capable of completely natural speeds in excess of 8 to 10 knots. This would be consistent with the explorer's reports. The situations where high speeds for Aleut kayaks were observed tended to be wind against tide conditions which are ideal for surfing.

It doesn't require a particularly fast kayak to reach these kinds of speeds. I've overtaken and passed a 40' sailboat sailing wing-on-wing in 15 knot winds while I was paddling my Expedition Single loaded down for a trip. This was probably maintaining an average speed of 7.5 knots with bursts to 9 or 10.

I'm sure the Aleut were strong enough, had the skills, and conditions were often appropriate to paddle at speeds faster than a typical European ship. Not because they had magic kayaks, but because this isn't that hard for a kayak to do. The lines of the solo kayaks (or iqyax) i have seen are well suited for this, but not uniquely so. It is a fairly common property in kayaks.

Below is footage of me in my 14' Petrel Play paddling beside a surf ski in light winds, small waves and a mild tide race. I'm comfortably averaging about 7 with bursts to 10 knots without killing myself. This design was created to play nicely in these conditions.

So, tales of Aleut kayaks being paddled very fast are likely fairly accurate. We know this because kayakers who aren't as strong, in kayaks that aren't as fast, can do it today.
https://www.youtube.com/xDYu8nRGDxE

Messages In This Thread

Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/14/2015, 12:41 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/14/2015, 1:14 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/22/2015, 8:13 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Robert W -- 7/14/2015, 8:37 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Robert W -- 7/14/2015, 8:50 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
scottbaxter -- 7/14/2015, 9:20 pm
Re: Paddle: Aleut Strength
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 7/15/2015, 9:49 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka *PIC*
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/20/2015, 8:04 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 7/15/2015, 9:24 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/15/2015, 3:07 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rober W -- 7/21/2015, 2:15 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 7/22/2015, 9:39 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rober W -- 7/22/2015, 11:10 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Bill Hamm -- 7/22/2015, 12:30 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 7/22/2015, 5:58 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Olli -- 7/22/2015, 6:37 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 7/22/2015, 8:34 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/23/2015, 10:51 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka *PIC*
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 7/23/2015, 9:52 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka *PIC*
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/23/2015, 11:49 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Etienne Muller -- 7/23/2015, 4:14 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Etienne Muller -- 7/23/2015, 4:38 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Roy Martin -- 7/23/2015, 9:26 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka *PIC*
Etienne Muller -- 7/23/2015, 12:25 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/23/2015, 12:35 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
scottbaxter -- 7/23/2015, 2:12 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/23/2015, 3:56 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Bill Hamm -- 7/23/2015, 5:16 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Pete -- 7/23/2015, 2:33 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/23/2015, 3:52 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Bill Hamm -- 7/23/2015, 5:13 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 7/23/2015, 5:33 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Bill Hamm -- 7/23/2015, 6:43 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
Bill Hamm -- 7/23/2015, 11:36 pm
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka *NM*
Etienne Muller -- 7/23/2015, 4:24 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka *PIC*
Etienne Muller -- 7/23/2015, 4:45 am
Re: Paddle: Iqyax - Baidarka
george jung -- 7/23/2015, 11:47 pm