not necessarily
Weaker paddlers may not have the hp to drive a longer hull with more skin(friction).
what about for 2-3mph?
if there’s no intention of using that length for a theoretical max speed what is wrong with a beamy short canoe and adjust the seat height for a comfortable paddle angle and stability with single or double paddle? Maybe the op didn’t write clearly but a rounded bottom could reduce wetted area a smidge for efficiency with stability taking higher priority over speed.
A tub is only ever going to be a tub…
– Last Updated: Jan-12-10 3:21 PM EST –
As we're talking a child's canoe, reducing wetted surface area is surely more important than increasing waterline length, especially with the proportions being talked about here.
Surely the easiest approach is to get the longer-legged of the youngsters in question to kneel on a pile of books (at high pedestal level, as that's more fun for kids) and measure the spread of his/her knees. Allow an inch for growth... and take that as your maximum width between the chines in the tandem stations.
The resulting craft will presumably end up being a bit wider still as a solo canoe... but in time the children will presumably grow into that wider central station.
Of course, that's likely to result in a FAR narrower canoe, with far, far less wetted surface area AND a far more useful width-length ratio :)
Thanks
Thanks. You both have excellent points.