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Messages - rkdjones

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 15
1
Gear Talk / Re: So I bought a Hobie Eclipse Mirage...
« on: April 02, 2017, 10:42:14 AM »
I took a test drive on a 12' Eclipse yesterday.  I'm a so-so flatwater paddler, and paddle a 12-6 Ron House and 14' Laird Bark board.  I've never used a Hobie Drive but have been impressed by the reported efficiency of the drive (a large blade moving slowly produces the least turbulence and hence efficiently transfers work to motion: why fish have fins and not propellers).

I felt like there was too little resistance in the fins and it felt like I wasn't using my legs very efficiently.  It probably could be remedied with larger fins.  That would drive the board faster but once you hit hull speed (4.6 kts for the 12' board) it would be like trying to push the board through molasses.  Now, I wasn't going 4.6 kts, so I could have used larger fins and still kept it under hull speed.  But it also suggests to me that putting a drive on a long board might be really sweet.  A long catamaran design, like the Standamaran could be incredibly fast with a larger drive fins.

A while back I tried a one-off contraption made by Easy Rider: a stand up board based on a kayak with an ama for stability.  It seemed quite questionable in that falling would possibly do damage to ama and paddler.  But with handlebars, this problem disappears.

Lastly, a comment about the Hobie drive in general.  Though more efficient than a propeller, a Hobie drive is a single speed device, while pedals can be geared to maximize the coupling of legs to drivetrain.  This is an inherent limitation of the drive.

Robert


2
SUP General / box and ship from Philly
« on: April 22, 2015, 01:46:48 PM »
This is a little off-topic since I'll be asking for referrals for shipping a kayak from Philadelphia to Seattle, but I figure it is close enough to shipping a board that anyone who can package and ship a board can package and ship a kayak.  I'm interested in buying an 18 foot kayak from a private party who lives near Philadelphia.  I would like to find a vendor who can box it and ship it to Seattle.  I just don't know where to look for such a vendor.  Does anyone have a recommendation?  BTW, after briefly looking I found a shipper who will transport it for about $400, but they need it boxed.  Robert

3
Gear Talk / durability Ron House 12-6 carbon?
« on: November 23, 2014, 05:37:11 PM »
I own a fiberglass Riviera Ron House 12-6 race board.  I think it is a pretty light lay-up; it dings easily.  I have an opportunity to buy the same board in carbon.  I was wondering if anyone has an idea of the durability of carbon Ron House?
Robert

4
Flatwater and Touring / Re: Spill your quiver
« on: September 18, 2014, 08:33:35 AM »
Ron House 12-6 Race Board
Laird Bark 14 in Tuflite

I'm 165 lbs and mostly paddle lakes for exercise and fun, occasionally paddle Puget Sound (when I find the time).  The House is nice for warm weather, quite managable out of the water, but a bit fragile (several ding repairs now, and the I can feel the texture of the cloth on the rear deck).  The Bark is heavy out of the water, more difficult in wind, but very stable and good for cold water and choppy conditions.  I find that they both paddle nicely.

Robert

5
Gear Talk / Werner Nitro, Soul paddle impressions
« on: September 18, 2014, 08:26:33 AM »
Just a quick note about Werner Paddles.  I was looking for a reasonably priced second paddle for my wife and occassional guest paddler.  I have a Werner Nitro M that I like and use routinely.  I picked up an adjustable Werner Soul M from Campmor for less than $250.  The blade is fiberglass, otherwise it is the same as the Nitro.  The weight and balance of the paddle is indistinguishable from the Nitro to me.  I suspect that the Carve is similar in that the little extra weight is in the shaft where it is not felt as much.  Werner's fiberglass blades seem to quite light.
Robert

6
Gear Talk / Laird Bark 14 Tuflite impressions
« on: September 18, 2014, 08:16:46 AM »
I recently bought a used Laird Bark 14, Tuflite construction for flatwater paddling.  I'm 165lbs, so admittedly a little light for the board.  But I wanted an efficient stable board for when the weather turns bad.  I usually paddle a Ron House 12-6 race board.

First the negative:  It is surprisingly heavy (over 35 lbs).  And it is hard to control in a side wind.
And the positive: It is so stable compared to the Ron House and just as fast or maybe faster.
In balance: It will be a good board for paddling when the water is cold or the conditions are such that I feel insecure on my Ron House.  I think I will probably continue to paddle the House during warm water months on local lakes, but use the Laird Bark for cold marine water paddling and winter paddling on lakes.

Robert

7
Gear Talk / Re: Board bag for Laird/Bark 14'
« on: July 26, 2014, 02:51:52 PM »
I just went to the FCS website and couldn't find it.  My bag is definitely an FCS bag.  Robert

8
Gear Talk / Re: Board bag for Laird/Bark 14'
« on: July 26, 2014, 02:48:48 PM »
FCS makes a bag that fits; it is a snug fit.  I just bought a used Laird Bark 14 with a bag.  I've been thinking about selling the bag since I don't really think I will use it.  I'm in Seattle, where are you?  Robert

9
Gear Talk / UV protection?
« on: July 26, 2014, 01:03:54 PM »
I'm looking for ideas of how to protect the bottom of my board from UV damage without using a bag or cover.

The details:  I have a Ron House 12-6 race board, I think it's a factory board.  I had a ding repair by Kody Kessler in Seattle (good guy) and learned that the bottom might be just glass over foam (no paint), or maybe glass over painted foam.  I leave it on my car unprotected and think I'm seeing sun discoloration, perhaps sun damage.  I don't want to bag it or cover the board.  I want the convenience of just carrying it around and throwing it in the water whenever and wherever I have an hour to paddle.   I'm not worried about the heat since the bottom is white and it doesn't get that hot here.  I'm thinking about painting the bottom or using some sort of product to protect from UV.  I have some "303 aerospace protectant" which claims to filter UV, but there is no way to be sure.

Any suggestions about painting, the kind of paint to use, or some other way to protect from UV damage?

Robert

10
Gear Talk / Re: inflatable rooftop carrier
« on: June 25, 2014, 12:01:25 PM »
I was going to rent an inflatable for several days on vacation and pack it in rental car (I decided against at the last minute).  This might be a solution for carrying a rented rigid board on a rental car.  R

11
Gear Talk / inflatable rooftop carrier
« on: June 24, 2014, 03:51:45 PM »
I just saw this inflatable rooftop carrier and wondered if anyone has tried it.  It looks like a great idea:
http://www.handiworld.com/  Robert

12
Anyone know of a place to rent an iSUP in Cabo San Lucas, or San Jose del Cabo.  I'm headed up Sea of Cortez 50 miles and want to take a SUP with me.  I can't carry a rigid board on a rental car but could take an inflatable.  Robert

13
Flatwater and Touring / Re: News on Standamaran?
« on: June 02, 2014, 11:31:58 AM »
I spoke to some guys from Easy Rider Kayaks at the Northwest Paddle Fest.  They claimed that their stand-up-catamaran (SUC) did really well at the Round the Rock race; I can't recall their precise claim and I can't find detailed race results.  Their SUC is 2 hulls with holes in them for your feet, granted not very elegant.  I get that it is not a surfboard,or a board at all for that matter, but does a catamaran design work better for flatwater paddling.  We had to wait a long time for displacement bows to finally start showing up on SUPs; will multihulls be the next step toward a faster Stand-up-___?  Robert

14
Flatwater and Touring / News on Standamaran?
« on: June 01, 2014, 03:27:42 PM »
A few years back I was intrigued by the SIC Standamaran 16' catamaran.  All the reviews claimed it was game-changer in terms of speed and glide.  Yet I just haven't heard much about them recently or anyone else trying the design.  It seems like a good idea on flatwater.  Anyone seen, paddled, or heard much about them recently?
Robert

15
Travel, Trips, Destinations / Rentals in Cabo Pulmo
« on: May 26, 2014, 09:16:32 AM »
I'm going to San Jose del Cabo and Cabo Pulmo.  I's love to rent a SUP in Cabo Pulmo for snorkle support and messing around paddling out to the reef (no surfing).  Does anyone have any info about who might rent a board in Cabo Pulmo, or may a week-long inflatable in San Jose Del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas (that I can take to Cabo Pulmo when I drive up there).  Robert

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