Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
By:Allan
Date: 10/27/2016, 5:36 am
In Response To: Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki (JohnAbercrombie)

I agree with Etienne about the relative speed of different length kayaks.

Rather than comparing the potential maximum speed of two different hulls, you need to compare the drag of those hulls at the speed at which you will be paddling. A slightly more complicated comparison is to look at the speed each kayak will do with the output you have established that you can sustain.

Very few recreational paddlers spend much time at the theoretical hull speed of their kayak, so knowing the theoretical maximum speed isn't much help.

All of my calculations and all of my observations of the mostly retired paddlers with whom I regularly paddle, suggest that on flat water, the ideal length is close to 15'. Adding another foot hardly slows the kayak below the cruising speed that most feel comfortable maintaining, but losing 1'6" of waterline length slows down even leisurely paddlers enough to be noticeable.

John, the fact that you can keep up in your 13'6" kayak says more about your paddling ability and efficiency than it does about the efficiency of a short kayak.

Messages In This Thread

S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a kit.
Nyah -- 10/25/2016, 1:26 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/25/2016, 2:50 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 10/25/2016, 3:21 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/25/2016, 3:34 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki *PIC*
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 10/25/2016, 5:11 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Alex Ferguson -- 10/25/2016, 9:34 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/25/2016, 11:16 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Alex Ferguson -- 10/26/2016, 12:13 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/25/2016, 11:25 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Alex Ferguson -- 10/26/2016, 12:27 am
Re: S&G: In defense of complexity... *PIC*
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 10/26/2016, 9:41 am
Re: S&G: In defense of complexity...
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/26/2016, 12:19 pm
Frej SG: Cockpit Sizes
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 10/26/2016, 12:33 pm
Re: Frej SG: Cockpit Sizes
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/26/2016, 12:42 pm
Re: Frej SG: Cockpit Sizes *PIC*
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 10/26/2016, 2:05 pm
Re: Frej SG: Cockpit Sizes
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/26/2016, 2:23 pm
Re: S&G: In defense of complexity...
Bill Hamm -- 10/27/2016, 12:57 am
Re: S&G: In defense of complexity...
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/27/2016, 1:03 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Etienne Muller -- 10/25/2016, 4:50 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Nyah -- 10/25/2016, 5:43 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/25/2016, 6:35 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Etienne Muller -- 10/26/2016, 3:51 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Bill Hamm -- 10/27/2016, 1:00 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki *PIC*
Etienne Muller -- 10/26/2016, 5:31 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/26/2016, 12:03 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Etienne Muller -- 10/27/2016, 4:37 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki *PIC*
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/27/2016, 11:55 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Etienne Muller -- 10/27/2016, 2:29 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/27/2016, 3:05 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/27/2016, 4:14 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Allan -- 10/27/2016, 5:36 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Allan -- 10/27/2016, 5:45 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/27/2016, 12:14 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Nyah -- 10/27/2016, 12:56 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Bill Hamm -- 10/27/2016, 1:03 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/27/2016, 1:05 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Etienne Muller -- 10/27/2016, 4:49 am
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Alex Ferguson -- 10/27/2016, 3:59 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/27/2016, 4:27 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/27/2016, 4:30 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Alex Ferguson -- 10/27/2016, 4:48 pm
Re: S&G: Kayaking fan wants to build S&G from a ki
Etienne Muller -- 10/27/2016, 5:01 am
Re: S&G: How will you use it?
Mark N -- 10/26/2016, 7:15 am
Re: S&G: How will you use it?
John Messinger -- 10/26/2016, 8:18 am
Re: S&G: How will you use it?
Thomas Duncan -- 10/26/2016, 10:23 am