Sea kayak
The sea kayak is a kayak specially built and equipped for sea kayaking . It differs in many details from the white water kayak . The transitions to touring kayaks , however, are fluid. It should not be confused with the open sit-on-tops occasionally used in coastal areas.
Design
The commercial sea kayak has characteristics of the early Eskimo kayaks . Originally it was a means of transport used for hunting - consisting of a wooden frame covered with furs. The modern sea kayak is a piece of sports equipment that must be able to accommodate the necessary equipment. All today's touring kayaks are made of synthetic resin laminate, glass fiber reinforced plastic , (GRP) (diolen, aramid, carbon or fiberglass sandwich fabric) with elastic vinyl ester or polyester resins . In contrast to the cheaper boats made of PE ( polyethylene - thermoplastic construction), these are lighter and faster. They are also easier to repair. PE boats, however, require less maintenance and are more break-proof.
Since a sea kayak usually covers longer distances, on which wind and water waves should hinder the straight direction of the boat as little as possible, sea kayaks (about 500 cm-560 cm) are longer than all-round touring kayaks (about 440 cm-500 cm). These shorter boats are preferably used on inland lakes or on small rivers and are advantageous here because of their greater maneuverability. The longer the waterline (the length of the hull that rests on the water surface), the faster and the smoother the run in smooth water and in waves. The further the keel line is bent up towards the tips, the more agile the boat - keel jump . A long waterline increases friction, but straight-line stability improves at higher speeds. For safety, sea kayaks should be equipped with bulkheads in front of and behind the paddler, which protect the luggage compartments from water, openings on the upper deck with watertight lids make these accessible. They can be equipped with sufficient loading capacity for hikes lasting several days. It is important that the sea kayak is loaded correctly - heavier objects towards the middle of the boat. It makes sense to pack the travel equipment again in waterproof bags.
The flatter the frame (cross-section through the boat hull) in the seating area on the water, the greater the initial stability . This is the static position of the boat that is needed when boarding and when resting in the boat. The rounder the frame cut, the greater the final stability . This is needed when the boat is pushed back and forth by the wind, waves and currents. If the boat lies parallel on a wave, the lean angle can be better compensated here. A balanced mixture of both stabilities enables versatile use of the boat. If the boat is very narrow, the low running resistance is bought at the price of a higher degree of tilt. For that, rolling in them is easier. In addition, attempts are being made to reduce susceptibility to wind through the design of the upper aisle. Pulled up ends help ride the waves instead of piercing them.
In order to achieve sufficient tracking stability, sea kayaks usually have a long straight keel line without a keel jump and either a foot control (see also rudder system ) or an extendable fin , which is also known as a skeg in kayaks . The rudder can be operated by the paddler (in the case of the 2-man from the rear man) using cables and adjustable to leg length. The control blade can be pulled up (fold-down control) in order to avoid grounding and damage during take-off and landing. With a skeg you can only steer indirectly, i. i.e., it can be used to trim the boat. Kayaks are usually luv greedy , which means that they turn into the wind when it comes from the side. If the skeg is extended with the help of a sliding mechanism (usually next to the seat gap), it counteracts the windwardness, it can be adjusted individually and thus set a course over a wide area. Higher waves from behind can cause the kayak to surf and it can pick up speed. here the skeg should be fully extended in order to maintain directional stability, otherwise the kayak can cross-flip and overturn.
safety
A sea kayak must meet the special conditions at sea, possible capsizing and the necessary safety standards. After capsizing in open water, it is essential to get back in the kayak as quickly as possible. Sealings reduce the amount of water that can enter the kayak. After straightening up, the water in the cockpit is removed with a bilge pump . They are available as hand pumps that can move a relatively large amount of water in a short time. These have the disadvantage that you don't have your hands free to support. A permanently installed pump allows at least one free hand. With a foot pump you need for Lenzen significantly more time, but can here spraydeck not constantly new water into the kayak remain closed, so that when there are waves coming. Battery-powered pumps are ideal as long as they work. The double paddle should be attached to the kayak with a paddle lanyard so that it can be quickly and easily grabbed again if it is lost or capsizes.
In order to hold on to the kayak after capsizing and getting out of the kayak, all-round ropes (or lifeline ropes) are attached to the boat deck. Often at least the lower ship is designed in easily recognizable colors. White color is less suitable than yellow and orange due to its confusion with whitecaps of the waves. Instead of handles in the form of loops, toggles are used. These prevent a kayak moving through the sea from twisting the hand.
An inflatable paddle float pulled onto the paddle blade makes it possible to straighten up with the boat after capsizing. The commonly used vests (see life jacket ) are called "swimming aids" because they do not keep the head above water and are therefore not faint-proof. There are special faint-proof vests made of solid material or those that can be inflated. A signal lamp and a whistle make it possible to call attention in the event of a problem. (see distress signal )
equipment
The double paddles used for a sea kayak are usually designed for longer distances with a narrower and smaller paddle surface. The paddle blades can be turned up to 90 ° to each other. The Greenland paddle is an exception . Its leaves are very narrow, usually made of wood, and the leaves cannot be twisted together. The basic equipment includes a waterproof paddle jacket that can be closed at the wrists. For more extreme weather conditions a wetsuit or a dry suit is necessary. In order not to keep getting water into the hatch when the waves are rough, the paddler pulls a spray cover under his paddle jacket. It is pulled over the coaming of the seat hatch so that the boat is completely closed. In the event of danger, it must be detached from the boat in seconds using the loop.
There is a permanently installed compass within sight for navigation . There is also a device for attaching maps to the deck in front of the paddler. A boat cart can be part of the equipment of a kayak to transport the boat from stormy seas over land to a place with calmer water.
Sea kayak (detail) with the skeg fully extended at the stern
The map material is attached to the deck with elastic bands, with a built-in compass behind it
A greenland paddle and a kayak touring paddle with division and paddle safety lines
The shape of the hull influences the initial and final stability
A spray deck keeps the water almost completely out of the kayak.
Web links
- Soenke Schierer: Elegance from the Arctic Ocean . In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung .
literature
- Nigel Foster: Sea Kayak: Equipment Driving Technique Safety . Pollner Verlag, 1996, ISBN 3-925660-31-3 .