C-Forum

Craig Smerda used the term "trip chines" in the recent post about OC Choices and I'm not familiar with it.

He wrote, "Esquif has a damned good line up but I am not a fan at all of the \_/ "trip chines" on the earlier models."

Does trip chine have any synonyms?

I’m familiar with the concept of chines. Round or soft chine hulls for example rival, whitesell's or ovation. Hard chine hull or a hull with an edge. Progressively more edge such as going from a XL to Probe to Viper to Oocee.

Also there is the doube chine hull such as the Blast.

Any additional thoughts?

Detonator was the first Esquif boat I paddled that had what I refer to as a trip chine. Basically the bottom of the hull is very flat... then it goes into a 45 degree (or so?) angle... then transfers to the sidewall of the hull. Not a bad idea totally... the design is between a soft edged and hard edged boat.

The Ocoee or most Frankie Hubbard designs utilize an Edge that transfers from the hull to the sidewall more abruptly... almost square with a little roundness. Paddlers either love it or hate it... I love it.

An Outrage or many similar designs use a much rounder softer edge.

That's why when you are used to paddling a boat with an edge and jump into a soft chined boat it feels like it wallows back and forth. Vice versa for soft to hard edges. Softer edged boats are faster in the water because there is less drag. Kaz's Spark seems to have a very nice transition but I don't know that I would refer to his designs as hard chined.

Hope this helps!!

So, by "trip chines," you just mean specifically those "double chines" on some of the Esquif boats? I'd never heard the term "trip chine" either.

P.

Trip chine may not be the best term to use... but that's how I can best describe a transition that isn't either abrupt or smooth... kinda herky jerky. To be honest a hard chined boat is actually more "trippy" but that's a no brainer.

Think about it this way.. look at an older designed kayak that has no particular visible edge vs. a planing hulled kayak. A round huled kayak still has an edge but it harder to find... a planing hulled kayak has a very distinct edge or tranistional area. Have you ever seen a kayak with a beveled edge? I haven't.

Thanks. No need to drag kayaks into this! We know the concept - the difference between the edge on an Impulse and an Ocoee is a lesson one learns pretty quickly!

Just hadn't heard the term before, and I agree, like 'em or not, that Esquif's double/trip chines are pretty unique.

I wonder if the design will prove to be long-lasting? (In terms of years of production, not wear & tear - that's already been discussed!)

P.

Wouldn't the Diesel hull count as an unconverted C1 with a beveled edge?