Description
This article is from the Sea
Kayaking FAQ, by Todd Leigh with numerous contributions by
others.
26 How do folding kayaks compare in efficiency, performance, and speed with hardshell boats?
"Common wisdom", again, says that folding kayaks are typically less of
a "performance boat" than hardshell kayaks. This is only partially
true and requires some examination.
Folding kayaks are not all inherently slow; their models run a range
of speeds just as hardshell models do. Real life experience and races
in which a mix of hardshells and foldables participate tend to
indicate that foldables are as fast or faster than about 80% of
hardshell kayaks. If you are in a folding kayak on a club trip or paid
tour, you will not find that every hardshell will be ahead of
you. Only some might.
Much depends on conditions. In absolutely flat, calm water, foldables,
which tend to be wider, are a bit less efficient to paddle, i.e. you
may have to put more effort into your stroke to accelerate and
maintain the same constant speed as a narrower hardshell boat. As
conditions get rougher, though, the inherent stability and
seaworthiness of their design makes them the more efficient craft.
You can concentrate on your forward paddling for a high
speed-made-good; in a hardshell you would likely need to shorten your
stroke or skim your paddle in a semi-brace to stabilize your boat,
which would rob you of some forward speed efficiency.
If performance means that a kayak easily allows you to Eskimo roll,
use a sculling brace, and the like, then most folding kayaks do lack
"performance." You'll generally find it harder to do such tricks in a
foldable, except for in of the narrower ones, but since such skills
are not as necessary to keep a folding kayak upright as they are in a
hardshell under extreme conditions, "performance" is almost a moot
point for open-water paddling, unless it's an objective in itself.
Continue to:
Share and Enjoy
Bookmark this story so others can enjoy it:
Tags
sport, sea kayaking, paddle
