tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386310634650742697.post7671252611600776695..comments2023-06-20T06:00:26.555-07:00Comments on beast and bug: paddling: ...I'm not sad, I'm just....pvzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05398086321905814440noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386310634650742697.post-39757569019276645022010-03-03T08:41:42.227-08:002010-03-03T08:41:42.227-08:00Just another comment about rigging. There is much ...Just another comment about rigging. There is much talk about this and the proper weight ratio. The fact is that most people rely on the ama way too much. Thus all the people complaining about their sore butts.<br /><br />I own a Stingray and the ama is almost infinitely adjustable. But the fact is I always put the ama as close into the boat as possible. <br /><br />So the only adjustment I make is how high the the ama sits. The only adjustments I make for this are based on weight - how heavy are the people in the boat and how experienced are they. <br /><br />Many people are inclined, as they get more stable, to lower the ama, so the boat sits more flat, but I am not completely sure this is the best setting. Since you actually do not want to rely on the ama, the best way is to raise it slightly. So that you are forced to sit on the boat and not lean on the ama.<br /><br />Practical speaking this is not clear as each boat is different. For my Hurricane for instance, you cannot do this because you are sitting too much on top of the boat.<br /><br />But for a boat like Melissa's or DougM's, you have a little more hp control so you can and should do this - IMHO.<br /><br />cheers<br />dnDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12326870336589287458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386310634650742697.post-19188267881410573742010-03-03T08:31:37.450-08:002010-03-03T08:31:37.450-08:00Hey Paul, I have been there and know your experien...Hey Paul, I have been there and know your experience - although I have never been able to describe it as well. <br /><br />One of the best (or challenging) things about paddling is it is a life long learning experience - each race is different and has something to offer in the way of a zen moment - that is why you can get better as you get older. The flip side of that is takes long for most people do well.<br /><br />I suggest you talk with the Anderson brothers sometime. They have been paddling much longer than I have and they are still learning.<br /><br />Once you are comfortable with all the basic mechanics, you then have the water, current, the shore, the wind to learn about. Once you have that all down, you will go back and adjust all of your basics again and ....<br /><br />You can see why there are <b>many</b> books written about paddling, technique and the zen thing. <br /><br />By the way: all of the people that passed you have been paddling longer than you and as of late have been putting time in the boat. I suspect by summers end you will easily forget about these people and start focusing on others like me.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12326870336589287458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386310634650742697.post-34186804684740344492010-03-02T06:27:26.721-08:002010-03-02T06:27:26.721-08:00Melissa,
I definitely didn't know how good Rus...Melissa,<br />I definitely didn't know how good Russ was. I only had the Ruston Way race to compare with, and in that Zachary and I were able to take him. Of course, that was an OC2 vs OC1, so not really fair comparison. Plus, there was no wind or swell.<br /><br />I'm determined to get better on the downwind stuff so I don't lose (as much) ground there.<br /><br />And yeah, I'm realizing how different the OC1 is from the OC6 in terms of paddling it. I thought I knew but it's only now really sinking in.<br /><br />I appreciate your positive encouragement!<br /><br />paulpvzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05398086321905814440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386310634650742697.post-47622057616803966392010-03-01T08:17:28.204-08:002010-03-01T08:17:28.204-08:00I think you are entirely too hard on yourself. Yo...I think you are entirely too hard on yourself. You did a great job! To huli and then go back and pass all those people is impressive and you need to recognize that. Russ is a strong paddler and to pass him is great, that he passed you towards the finish means you need to work on your OC1 endurance. It's really different than paddling with a crew, it's all you and that's part of what makes it mentally challenging.<br /><br />For that canoe you want the rear iako all the way in until you are really comfortable with it. Just as you found online. Rigging heavier is smart in rougher conditions or if you are not really familiar with a particular canoe. I have tried rigging my canoe lighter and I don't spend enough time practicing on it to get comfy with it rigged that way so I keep it pretty middle of the road/heavier.<br /><br />-MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com