Pépé - An extra wide slalom C1
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:10 am
I just finished up my own design for a new slalom C1 and want to share a few videos of it.
https://youtu.be/sbNc5-krqgM - in the gates
https://youtu.be/0ODCMQtNEbk - pivots
https://youtu.be/c-WVF4Xeu5Q - rolling
I really like the way it paddles.
The idea behind the design is that it is a boat for taller, heavier people on higher saddles who don't necessarily have the balance of an elite world class racer. I'm 6'6" tall, weight 195 lbs and sit on a 5" saddle.
I believe that extra width does two things. First, it gives more stability, which allows for fuller more powerful strokes to be taken without constant balance checks. Second, it makes it easier to keep the boat flat when pivoting. I find that because of the extra stability during pivot turns, I don't lose control of edging and stall out the turn as often.
I also made the boat 3.65M long instead of the minimum of 3.5M. I'm hoping the extra length compensates somewhat for the speed lost due to the extra width.
The last thing that is different about this boat is that I built it without making a mold. I carved a plug from styrofoam, wrapped the plug in packing tape, layed up carbon fiber / epoxy directly on the plug, and after the epoxy cured, cut out the cockpit opening and carved out all of the foam. In addition to not having the build a mold, I did not have to do inside seams and the deck is chemically bonded to the hull.
If anyone is interested I have a lot of pictures of the design and building process.
Finally, thanks to several people on this board and especially Chris Soileau of River Elf and Davey Hearn of Sweet Composites who helped me figure out a layout that would work with my unusual building technique.
Matt
https://youtu.be/sbNc5-krqgM - in the gates
https://youtu.be/0ODCMQtNEbk - pivots
https://youtu.be/c-WVF4Xeu5Q - rolling
I really like the way it paddles.
The idea behind the design is that it is a boat for taller, heavier people on higher saddles who don't necessarily have the balance of an elite world class racer. I'm 6'6" tall, weight 195 lbs and sit on a 5" saddle.
I believe that extra width does two things. First, it gives more stability, which allows for fuller more powerful strokes to be taken without constant balance checks. Second, it makes it easier to keep the boat flat when pivoting. I find that because of the extra stability during pivot turns, I don't lose control of edging and stall out the turn as often.
I also made the boat 3.65M long instead of the minimum of 3.5M. I'm hoping the extra length compensates somewhat for the speed lost due to the extra width.
The last thing that is different about this boat is that I built it without making a mold. I carved a plug from styrofoam, wrapped the plug in packing tape, layed up carbon fiber / epoxy directly on the plug, and after the epoxy cured, cut out the cockpit opening and carved out all of the foam. In addition to not having the build a mold, I did not have to do inside seams and the deck is chemically bonded to the hull.
If anyone is interested I have a lot of pictures of the design and building process.
Finally, thanks to several people on this board and especially Chris Soileau of River Elf and Davey Hearn of Sweet Composites who helped me figure out a layout that would work with my unusual building technique.
Matt