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Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
By:LeeG
Date: 1/18/2008, 1:44 pm

the top one approximates the shape of the Chesapeakes, the bottom one is looking a bit more normal to a range of four panel hulls. If there isn't sufficient rocker and flare in the side panels for the above shape leaning the hull doesn't provide much of an increase in maneuverability,,or compensation for weathercocking.

What's missing is the total rocker. I think if you have that much of the bow submerged it'll be very hard tracking if there's an equal amount sitting in the stern. If there isn't it'll pivot from the bow/weathercock. The common problem I see with the bow in four panel plywood boats is for the entry have a tendency to be sharper than needed providing more of a steering surface than flotation.

I'd defer to folks who've designed and paddled their boats, I've only done one based on morphing a CLC Northbay file, but it seems that there's a couple of important relationships that go beyond simple profiles.

The submerged shape of the bow to the stern, the amount of rocker and the nature of the flare in the side panels. The caribou doesn't have much flare in the midesection but it's very comfortable/maneuverable. The thing I'd go for is for the ends to lift up when the kayak is leaned.
I was really surprised how my boat turned out, kind of an accident with the rocker, from the cockpit forward it was a straight line up to the entry, going aft it was a curving arc to the exit. I don't know why it did that. Paddling at slow speeds under 3mph the stern slid around fairly easily with moderate weathercocking, paddling faster the stern settled firmly and the kayak tracked well with normal turn with a lean and less weathercocking. It was weird, kind of like two different kayaks.

Messages In This Thread

S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference? *Pic*
Kudzu -- 1/16/2008, 8:31 pm
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
LeeG -- 1/18/2008, 1:49 pm
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
Bill Hamm -- 1/20/2008, 3:28 am
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
LeeG -- 1/21/2008, 2:11 pm
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
Bill Hamm -- 1/20/2008, 3:28 am
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
LeeG -- 1/18/2008, 1:44 pm
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
Bryan Hansel -- 1/17/2008, 10:18 pm
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
Robert McMurray -- 1/17/2008, 11:20 pm
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
Kudzu -- 1/18/2008, 8:07 am
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
HenkA -- 1/17/2008, 8:45 pm
What about this?
Kudzu -- 1/17/2008, 8:49 am
Re: What about this?
Bill Hamm -- 1/17/2008, 7:52 pm
Re: What about this?
Kris Buttermore -- 1/17/2008, 12:16 pm
Re: What about... Flat bottom vs V speeds
Toni V -- 1/20/2008, 7:50 am
Re: What about... Flat bottom vs V speeds
Kudzu -- 1/20/2008, 4:24 pm
Re: What about this?
HenkA -- 1/17/2008, 8:52 pm
Re: What about this?
Kris Buttermore -- 1/22/2008, 2:32 pm
Re: What about this?
HenkA -- 1/24/2008, 10:30 pm
Re: What about this?
LeeG -- 1/18/2008, 1:59 pm
Re: What about this?
Toni V -- 1/17/2008, 3:09 pm
Re: What about this?
Kris Buttermore -- 1/22/2008, 2:19 pm
Re: What about this?
Bill Hamm -- 1/23/2008, 2:23 am
Re: What about this?
Kudzu -- 1/17/2008, 9:02 pm
Re: What about this?
Allan Cole -- 1/17/2008, 7:08 pm
Re: What about this?
Allan Cole -- 1/18/2008, 1:39 pm
FrreShip Flow line were useless. *NM*
Kudzu -- 1/17/2008, 2:55 pm
Re: What about this?
Kudzu -- 1/17/2008, 1:37 pm
Re: What about this?
Alex Ferguson -- 1/17/2008, 5:43 pm
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
Toni V -- 1/17/2008, 3:52 am
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
Tom Simpson -- 1/18/2008, 7:05 pm
Re: S&G: Bow shape Does it make a difference?
Bill Hamm -- 1/17/2008, 1:42 am