Kayak and Canoe Design Bulletin Board

Whats the most important?

Posted By: Pete W. P.
Date: Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 10:46 a.m.

Hi folks,

Ive been doing some reading of specs and such on various kayaks. They mention such things as Prismatic Coeficient, Block Coefficient, Wetted Surface in Square feet, Lbs per inch of emmersion. My question is this, how does one read all that to make any sense of it? Say a kayak has very little wetted surface but a poor prismatic coeficient... whats that mean? Say it has a terrific prismatic coeficient but a terrible block coefiicient... whats that mean?I know what a Ballistic Coeficient is, but still im fuzzy on prismatic and such.

Ultimately, how does one interpret those data to decide wether a specific kayak will cut the water like a knife, or slag along like a barge?

Many Thanks,

Pete

Messages In This Thread

Whats the most important?
Pete W. P. -- Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 10:46 a.m.

Re: Whats the most important?
lee -- Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 11:50 a.m.

Re: Whats the most important?
Mike Scarborough -- Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 5:45 p.m.

Re: Whats the most important?
lee -- Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 10:01 p.m.

Re: Whats the most important?
Pete W. P. -- Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 10:11 p.m.

Re: glide
lee -- Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 11:23 p.m.

Re: Whats the most important?
Ian Johnston -- Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 11:00 p.m.

Re: Whats the most important?
Nick Schade -- Friday, 3 December 1999, at 9:20 a.m.

Re: Whats the most important?
Pete W. P. -- Friday, 3 December 1999, at 6:54 p.m.

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