Kayak and Canoe Design Bulletin Board

Re: Skin Friction reduction

Posted By: Nick Schade
Date: Tuesday, 2 October 2001, at 10:18 a.m.

In Response To: Skin Friction reduction (John Umlah)

: Hello all: I was wondering, other than producing a baby smooth surface to
: reduce frictional drag is it appropriate to apply a wax, similar to that
: used on a surfboard, that would decrease the skin friction on the wetted
: surface.

John Winters used to have a good online article about waxing kayaks to increase speed. He did some testing and concluded wax either did nothing or slowed the boat down. A really smooth surface can be good but wax is unnecessary. While a textured surface can be good, it needs to be structured correctly. It is hard to structure the surface correctly, and when it is, it is hard to keep it from wearing out. It is easier to just make a really smooth surface.

Messages In This Thread

Skin Friction reduction
John Umlah -- Monday, 1 October 2001, at 10:26 a.m.

Re: Skin Friction reduction
Brian Nystrom -- Monday, 1 October 2001, at 12:02 p.m.

Re: Skin Friction reduction
Nick Schade -- Tuesday, 2 October 2001, at 10:18 a.m.

Re: Skin Friction reduction
Pete -- Thursday, 11 October 2001, at 11:20 a.m.

Re: Skin Friction reduction
garland reese -- Monday, 15 October 2001, at 5:08 p.m.

Re: Skin Friction reduction
john Umlah -- Tuesday, 16 October 2001, at 10:18 a.m.

Re: Skin Friction reduction
Nick Schade -- Wednesday, 17 October 2001, at 10:15 a.m.

Re: Skin Friction reduction
david peyton -- Sunday, 1 February 2009, at 9:01 p.m.

Re: Skin Friction reduction
david peyton -- Sunday, 1 February 2009, at 9:02 p.m.

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