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Weathercocking and trim
By:Jan Gunnar Moe
Date: 7/5/1999, 5:08 am
In Response To: Re: Rudder or Skeg? (Les Lacey)

Marinerkayaks use a system for trimming their kayaks for weathercocking:

The seat and footbraces may be shifted forwards or aft while paddling. Shifting weigth 1" aft will help if weathercocking with tip of kayak up against the wind.

Getting waves in at front, one can move weeigth forwards for smoother feeling, less banging against approaching waves.

I am thinking about how to implement such a trim system on my own kayaks. THe clue is to be able to change seat and footbrace posistion while at sea, when the conditions are changing.

> I posted a question earlier today and had a really quick response (thanx
> Hank), so I just wanted to throw in a thought on this one by way of a
> thanx to the group. I am a very newbie kayaker and have a Coho and Arctic
> Tern under construction, so I was extra interested in your post. I am a
> long time sailor and wanted you to know that I agree with Hank's
> suggestion about looking carefully at trim. Fore and aft trim is vitally
> important in how "squirrely" a sailboat feels, particularly as
> the wind and waves kick up,... even more so when going downwind, she'll
> trip over her forefoot in a heartbeat (exciting trim induced
> weathercocking),if all available weight isn't aft. I suspect a similar
> trim sensitivity applies to kayaks. Just another perspective,... I'm
> looking forward to paddling both Pygmy boats, best of luck.

Messages In This Thread

Rudder or Skeg?
Bob Hysen -- 7/4/1999, 11:33 am
Re: Rudder or Skeg?
Øivind Børresen -- 7/13/1999, 9:35 pm
Re: Rudder or Skeg?
lee -- 7/9/1999, 12:04 pm
Re: Rudder or Skeg?
Jack Sanderson -- 7/12/1999, 5:38 pm
Re: Rudder or Skeg?
Jeff Warrick -- 7/5/1999, 10:03 pm
Re: Rudder or Skeg?
Dean Trexel -- 7/5/1999, 4:19 pm
Re: Trim
Nick Schade -- 7/5/1999, 9:21 am
Re: Rudder or Skeg?
Mike Hanks -- 7/4/1999, 5:15 pm
Re: Rudder or Skeg?
Les Lacey -- 7/4/1999, 10:05 pm
Weathercocking and trim
Jan Gunnar Moe -- 7/5/1999, 5:08 am