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Paddle: As stability foil
By:Paul Squire
Date: 4/16/2002, 7:27 pm

As we all know, kayaks lack the stability for sailing excellence although a number manage to sail quite nicely. Many devices have been tried including weighted keels and outriggers. I'm building a Mill Creek 13 and will try using the paddle as a hydrofoil to resist the capsizing forces. I have no idea how effective it will be and perhaps someone has already tried it. If so , how did you get on?

I see it working as follows: Extend the paddle to windward, immerse the blade then tilt the leading, submerged edge down. As the boat moves forward the water flowing over the paddle will try to submerge it further. Since it is to windward this will resist the capsizing moment. Alternatively, the paddle could be extended to leeward with the leading-edge tilted up.

Cheers,
Paul.

Messages In This Thread

Paddle: As stability foil
Paul Squire -- 4/16/2002, 7:27 pm
Re: Paddle: As stability foil
Eric -- 4/17/2002, 4:43 pm
Re: Paddle: As stability foil
Randy Knauff -- 4/17/2002, 2:27 pm
Re: Paddle: As stability foil
Chris -- 4/17/2002, 1:46 am
Re: Paddle: As stability foil
Rob Macks -- 4/16/2002, 9:13 pm
Re: Paddle: As stability foil
Paul Squire -- 4/16/2002, 10:39 pm