Kayak and Canoe Design Bulletin Board

Stability issues-long

Posted By: John
Date: Monday, 17 June 2002, at 1:04 p.m.

I am a first time designer using Bearboat.I am trying to design a kayak that is, in some ways, conceptually similiar to the Kruger Sea Wind. It is a decked canoe shape, with a rudder, suitable for either a double or single paddle, and most relevant with a seat height off the keel of 4".Unlike the Kruger my kayak is pretty much a day boat carring me (6'5", 250lb) for flatish water lakes and rivers.

Sitting just off the keel,kayak style,puts too much strain on my lower back and it does not permit efficient use of a single paddle.I have studied this site, Nick's book, and John Winters articles.

My design now is waterline 15.3', water line beam 26.4", max. beam 29.5", deck or tumblehome to make the stem 23", displacement 305lb, front CP 56, rear CP 60, with the COB and maximun area at the same place.

Stability,at 4"seat height and my size,is the question for this "odd duck" design. My "go bys" are the Kruger which has a 25"WL beam,28"max. beam but is otherwise a much larger boat. Bell solo canoes have a minimum seat height of 5.5" and I estimate a WL beam, at my size, of about 27 ". Wenonah solos have a seat height of 6" and a WL beam of about 29.5 ".I have owned a Wenonah Prism and it is stable for me but it is also three inches wider.

I find as I play with the design I keep increasing the beams because I am uncertain. With the design I described I am sure I have good final stability but do I have enough initial stability to fish if I chose? I want to design a boat that requires miminal bracing, but I would love to be able to reduce both the beams half a inch or more.

I am just guessing and I ask for your opinions or guesses. I realize that that is all they can be.

Bearboat is great but will not produce a stability curve. The program will produce X,Y,Z coordinates. Does anyone know of a inexpensive stability curve program. I cannot find one on the internet. Thank to all.

Messages In This Thread

Stability issues-long
John -- Monday, 17 June 2002, at 1:04 p.m.

Re: Stability issues-long
Hans Friedel -- Monday, 17 June 2002, at 2:40 p.m.

Re: Stability issues-long
West -- Thursday, 20 June 2002, at 8:35 p.m.

Re: Stability issues-long
John -- Friday, 21 June 2002, at 6:06 p.m.

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