A Slow Boat To Nowhere at Rocky Gap State Park

[JPG]

Add a rudder.

BOTH fore and aft.


Paddle from the 'heavy end' and use paddle as a rudder at the light end.

Tack.

[jsburger]

EDIT: Ok, I think the second video is working now, jsburger! Please let me know if you continue to have problems with it!

It works fine now. I really envy you.

Just make your way east and we will go for a paddle. Or make your own! I've seen some of your projects and I think it is safe to say you are a much more accomplished woodworker than I!

Anyhow, yesterday was a lesson in how wind can effect a canoe. Paddling down wind was a breeze . Paddling into the wind took more energy but maintaining course wasn't too hard. But when paddling with a cross-wind, the canoe had a tendency to weathervane. In other words, when the wind hit us broadside to the desired direction of travel, it wanted to spin the canoe with the lighter/higher end of the canoe (Jon's end) ending up down wind. The best I could figure out was for us both to paddle on the lee side of the canoe with an exaggerated sweeping stroke, which at least kept us more or less on course. As an experienced paddler, tell me what the proper technique is (other than not going out in windy conditions!). Trimming the canoe will probably help a bit, I think, but probably isn't the entire solution.

Yes wind is fun. Down wind is easy as you say. Up wind just takes a lot more effort and deep straight paddle strokes as you found.

Cross wind is different. Having an even keel fore and aft really helps. If you are by your self you need weight in the front end. Two adults works but an adult in the back and a child in the front still needs some added weight in the front. Depending on the wind you can't always paddle straight to your destination as you found. Paddling on the lee side is of course necessary but you will still have to angle into the wind to lessen the cross wind effect and then come back in a zig zag course. The strength of the wind and the paddler in the front will make a difference which makes the guy in the back work harder. Trimming the canoe helps but depending on the wind you can't always paddle straight to your destination.

Just like you can't sail directly up wind in a sail boat. You have to tack back and forth.

As I think I said before when we went Moose hunting in Quebec, we went by canoe usually singly and we always had a rock (30-40#) to put in the front of the canoe along with whatever gear we were carrying. At any portage the rock was left behind and there was another rock at the other end of the portage.