Tom Kirkman wrote:
If you took a standard pool noodle, about 3 to 4 feet in length, split it lengthwise and then folded it midways, putting the fold on the bow and the remaining lengths down both sides of the hull, a 90-degree fold at the hull to deck junction along the entire length, it would seem you'd have greatly increased volume to lift the bow during periods of large swells or waves, or when running in a particular direction. I don't believe it would plane downward when submerged, at least not to any serious degree. The bouyancy of these things is incredible and would almost certainly pop the bow up quickly if submerged.
Hi Tom - you might be interested to take a look at this website where an enterprising Aussie has tackled the problem for boats, more for stability and safety but also for spray reduction. Your idea of the pool noodles is actually close to what he came up with using polyethylene closed cell foam, which has a lifespan of 30 years. The profile for boats looks too bulky for a kayak but perhaps a cut-down version of the boat collar might work? He says the foam is shaped by routing.
http://www.kaptenboatcollar.com/index.htmlThere is also a company that makes a vinyl extrusion as a spray rail that is glued on to the hull (no holes) specifically designed as a spray deflector that might work too. Its expensive and I have been in touch with them about using it on a kayak but they don't seem very interested in discussing it. They are called "Smart Rails" and their website is
http://www.thesmartrail.com/This next link shows the profile of the spray rails.
http://www.thesmartrail.com/product/ins ... ctions.htm
_________________
Life is the Journey - not the Destination