Ok, so you boys are always interested in "Numbers" so here are mine for my HC, grabbed from my GPS after today's paddle
(these were conducted in true speed record style; average of runs both ways incase of any wind advantage)
Single wooden paddle, J-stroke, with the odd swap-side..............2.1mph
Asymmetrical spoon bladed kayak paddle, not trying too hard.......3.6mph
Same paddle, WOT...........................................................4.3mph
I suspect that 4.5mph is this boat's hull speed because looking at the tracklog, even at the early part of my test runs, it wouldn't go any quicker.
I also did some stability and capsize experiments today. (fully expecting to get wet)
I managed to stand up in the boat and rock it side to side with my feet for a while.
I nealt on the chine and submerged the gunwale, completely swamping the boat. It still managed to float with about two inches of freeboard at the midpoint but was very, very wobbly. I doubt I would be able to bail it out on anything but mirror-flat water.
I capsized it and once I'd caught my breath and my bollocks had returned from my chest cavity, I righted the boat. I was able to tip all but an inch of water out of the boat while treading water but I could not get myself back in without submerging the rubrail and half filling the boat. I suppose if I really needed to, I could have spent some time bailing it out and carried on my way but I swam to the bank, tipped out the water and got back in.
Conclusions from these experiments.......
I need to get some floating rope for the painters; I got my foot tangled whilst swimming the boat to the bank. I was wearing a PFD, didn't panic and sorted it out but it could have been a real problem in different circumstances.
I was right to get a paddle lanyard.
The water is fcuking cold and I was really quite knackered by the time I'd finished dicking about.
