Very good point. That’s how I get ww
kayaks to run straight, and it’s how I paddle ww canoes without having to J stroke.
Pull 'em forward by the nose.
Mostly true, but I have a Noah with
hard chines and slab sides that, at full speed, will knife right through an eddy and out the other side. It, and my slalom c-1, have to be managed actively to get them to turn up through an eddy and through a gate.
I actually find that my ww boats are more cooperative about tracking once they have a decent turn of speed.
Of course, it is true that once a ww boat at speed exceeds the stability zone, it is going to skid out.
Unanswerable. Skegs and rudders.
No one in the galaxy can answer the question as to whether YOU can “get used” to paddling a short kayak straight.
Two things are known:
- Some people can get used to paddling a short kayak straight using the techniques described.
- It’s more difficult to paddle a short boat straight than a longer boat – too much so for some people’s enjoyment.
Putting a rudder on a short hull or buying one with a pronounced molded-in stern skeg will help tracking.
Yep, ANYTHING STRAIGHT
Yes any boat can be paddled straight. I was taught “boats don’t go straight, but PEOPLE PADDLE THEM STRAIGHT.” I believe that. Some boats (shorter and/or more rocker for example) will take more time and effort and focus to learn on, but learning it is worth it!!
Kinda funny when a 10 foot kayak is
not regarded as “short”. Example. An old school Dagger Animas is 10 feet 5 inches. My old Perception Corsica is about the same length. Both track pretty well, for ww boats.
So now, a ten foot rec kayak is “short”.
Go figure.
going straight
This is an opportunity to learn how to effectively paddle a kayak. With the strokes, paddle a little harder on the countersteer side and if necessary put a little dip on the side of the kayak to help steer as you paddle. Keep paddling both left and right sides at the same reps/speed., With some trial and error, it’ll come to you and you’ll be a better than average paddler for it, inasmuch as you will be able to paddle most anything with ease and without a rudder. Trust me, this is good stuff and you will be amazed at how quickly it will come to you. Note: The tilting/putting your boat on a slight edge, is more effective during the cadence of a paddle stroke. However, to get an idea of how the boat handles with a lean, just tilt the kayak while it is moving… best wishes.
sounds more like weather-cocking fix
OP is talking about the tendency of short boats to vary roughly equally both sides of going straight (or so it sounded). With weathercocking you can use a combo of different power (or leverage by varying paddle length on one side) while edging; but that’s a different problem.
probably not possible
Based on the dimensions of that boat (the Manatee is a deep, wide and gaping barge with no thigh hooks) and the diminutive size of the OP, I seriously doubt she could put the thing on edge. The kayak model is just far too sloppy of a fit for her. She might as well be trying to paddle a livestock water tank.
I think I am going to bed now
That’s a good analogy!
I think it would be fun…
to have a class in a kayak race just for Keowees and equal 9 footers.
jack L