Quote:
Originally Posted by bubblehide
Someone had mentioned that I may have the fastest yak out there once done; I'm honestly not sure about this. I would say I would end up with a more efficient kayak. I guess what I'm saying is that it should be faster off the line, i.e., more efficient. But when it comes to top speed, I think it's a combination of hull design and the pedal drive units abilities; and I feel that the design of the drive unit has it upper speed output limits. So I don't expect to gain any significant speed over another pedal drive yak, given consideration for hull design/speed ability. But I do expect the yak to do what ever speed with more efficiency It's that efficiency that makes the Hobie's so damn appealing and well worth the extra dough.
|
I am not a naval engineer or anything close but if I remember correctly there is something called "hull speed" that determines the maximum speed that a single hull vessel can reach without coming to a plane. It has something to do with displacement, drag and probably some other factors. At some some speed, the hull starts to create bow waves which offset increases in thrust. Simply put, when a vessel reaches its hull speed, increases in thrust are counteracted by increases in resistance so the thing will not go faster regardless of how much propulsion is added.
Apparently there are exceptions to this rule. Racing kayaks are an exception. These boats can go reach speeds that are nearly twice their theoretical hull speed. I have no idea why.
My guess is that since your hull is a faster design to begin with you will have a higher hull speed than the Hobies. I also think that there is a good chance that the increased efficiency of the hull will make it so you will get more thrust with the same energy. This should help improve your maximum speed as well.
Time will tell. Regardless of how everything turns out, it looks to be a fun project.
Bob