the great gonzo wrote:Phil,
the gliding draw works in just about any boat. It needs to be tweaked depending on the boat, but the basics are the same.
My question is more about your statement that dropping the outside edge makes your peelout gradual. I dunno, but my experience is the opposite. If I drop the inside edge during a peelout the current has less or nothing to grab on and will maainly flow underneath the hull, making the peelout more gradual. If I drop the outside edge the n the second the bow crosses the eddyline the current starts grabbing it and off we go downstream. Or am I misunderstanding you there??
TGG!
upstream edge...
I don't really care if it's a outside or inside edge, for that would be referencing a onside or offside move. I use this is regardless of what side, and what blade being used. As for it's effectiveness there's really only one way to test it out. And that's not from a keyboard (unless it's a waterproof Droid). If people don't want to try this that's fine, it's just another method that's been working for me for a couple decades.
BTW - The gliding stroke is a optional component, and not required to complete function; however as it's merely one stroke, there's a rather quaint elegance in it's use. For I often do the same move on a upstream rudder as well, using it to keep the boat turned upstream and prevent loss of angle. For the main thing is catching the upstream edge, and ride it using edge control. With control being the operative word, and not out of (control). You will not flip, once finding what's too far. Try it on something small at first - of course. And then move on up to the raging classes later. I do this all the time, it's not speculation. It's merely something which most people will shy away from.... because they have been always taught to lean downstream. And what a shame because that's limiting them.
I watch this same fear in peoples ferrying as well. When they really don't want to drop down there, OH NO not there. So they lean away on their ever faithful downstream edge and dig harder. Just giving away precious distance, simply thrown away from the git-go. When instead - if they were paddling on an upstream edge, they would not be giving away ground (well water) all the while leaning headfirst into trouble . They could be gaining some power from using the waters motion, that gripping flipping upstream water on the edge part. Plus they could get another boat width of river to complete their move, by just stroking on that upstream side.
Yes - I took a class and was taught to always lean downstream. I was also taught to snow plow in the beginning. So if someone is at that part in their learning curve... practice just that. However if you've got that covered, and can get around fine, then maybe it's time to progress a bit further. This is just another thing to have in your quiver of strokes. Sort of like having a parking brake on a car (yes different physics - but another ridiculous thought at first glance) . You can use it to stop, and you can use it to stay stopped. But if applied at speed when turning the steering wheel, it can make the turn even faster... and who would ever do that. My driving instructor would not have approved, but my hard driving acquaintances do.