The M 22 challenge, in beautiful Glen Arbor, Michigan, ends with a 2.5 mile paddle by canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board - participant’s choice. I think a canoe, paddled by one person, is slower than a kayak paddled by one person, but I don’t have enough experience on a stand-up paddle board to say if it is faster than a kayak, (ceteris paribus). Any thoughts?
Thanks nublar: if money were no object, the V14 would be my choice.
For 12 to 14 foot recreational kayaks, however, I have seen forums, using a good speed over long distances as about 6 miles an hour http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=1613887#1613921
Fastest paddleboard speed I’ve seen reported is 9.4 miles per hour http://www.sup-guide.com/sup-paddleboards/race-boards/danny-ching-fastest-paddler-earth-lost-mills/
Admittedly, this is over a short distance. – 200 m – by someone described as the “fastest paddler on earth.” I’m still leaning toward a long, thin kayak as the best choice.
kayak for sure.
No question about it: Kayak.
I do adventure races and pairs races must use canoes, while solo racers can use kayaks. …Two guys in a canoe don’t stand a chance against one guy in a kayak.
Also, the paddle board is an awful choice for anyone who is looking to go fast.
Years ago, I used to race flatwater kayaks. I remember doing a ten mile race in a lake (no current assist) in ~1:20 - about 8 min/mile. The only problem is if you’re not pretty skilled with a “down river” or “wild water” racing kayak, they’re a bear to handle. Think “only stable while upside down”. I believe the same holds true for surf skis as well…
.
Years ago, I used to race flatwater kayaks. I remember doing a ten mile race in a lake (no current assist) in ~1:20 - about 8 min/mile. The only problem is if you’re not pretty skilled with a “down river” or “wild water” racing kayak, they’re a bear to handle. Think “only stable while upside down”. I believe the same holds true for surf skis as well…
.
You need a kayak with foils, nothing is faster.
Created by former top paddler Einar Rasmussen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGyEj8iKsRY
Done all three - Kayak without a doubt. If you were standing in a SUP and racing against your grandma in a kayak, than maybe it be a fair fight. kayak > canoe > SUP. Keep in mind kayaks and canoes are vessels.
Years ago, I used to race flatwater kayaks. I remember doing a ten mile race in a lake (no current assist) in ~1:20 - about 8 min/mile. The only problem is if you’re not pretty skilled with a “down river” or “wild water” racing kayak, they’re a bear to handle. Think “only stable while upside down”. I believe the same holds true for surf skis as well…
.
I used to have a surf ski – got it as a teenager and had it through college. I had no problems with stability on it, but whenever my dad or another adult male tried to use it over they went immediately. Must have been their higher center of gravity.
Surfski FTW.
Kayaks are way more stable, but SLOW.
Check out a Think Eze, very forgiving for an inexperienced paddler.
Based on experience and observation- flat water, no current: canoe.
Years ago, I used to race flatwater kayaks. I remember doing a ten mile race in a lake (no current assist) in ~1:20 - about 8 min/mile. The only problem is if you’re not pretty skilled with a “down river” or “wild water” racing kayak, they’re a bear to handle. Think “only stable while upside down”. I believe the same holds true for surf skis as well…
.
I used to have a surf ski – got it as a teenager and had it through college. I had no problems with stability on it, but whenever my dad or another adult male tried to use it over they went immediately. Must have been their higher center of gravity.
Surf Ski’s are the Unicycle of the boat world.
A colleague was National K2 champ here in NZ back in the dya. He beat the reigning world champ at the time. The boy could paddle. He looked like an inverted Egyptian pyramid (not designed for stability ina boat) He was almost as wide across the shoulders as he was tall. Incredible specimen to see squeezed into a business shirt!
I was at his place one time and saw his K1 kayak so asked if I could try it out. He said sure. I’ve spent many many weeks paddling a Canadian style canoe through the wilderness, including white water. I figured I could paddle. Well I got in the K1 at the beach. As soon as the paddles no longer reached the bottom, over I’d go. Damn. To prove it was actually possible to paddle a K1, he stood on the seat and paddled an annoyingly tight figure 8 course, just off the beach. He barely got his ankles wet climbing in and out of it. Surf Ski’s are like K1, but without all the un-necessary stability! LOL
Years ago, I used to race flatwater kayaks. I remember doing a ten mile race in a lake (no current assist) in ~1:20 - about 8 min/mile. The only problem is if you’re not pretty skilled with a “down river” or “wild water” racing kayak, they’re a bear to handle. Think “only stable while upside down”. I believe the same holds true for surf skis as well…
.
You need a kayak with foils, nothing is faster.
Created by former top paddler Einar Rasmussen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGyEj8iKsRY
Yeah, but you have to paddle like mad to keep it up to speed or it doesn’t go fast enough to lift out of the water.
Great for sprints, lousy for long paddles!
The fastest would be the light weight carbon 21+ ft. Surf ski, do circles around anything else. A great stand up paddler is close, but you need years and years to acquire the skills to paddle the board that almost keeps up with the ski.
You do however need at least months to be able to paddle those kind of skis, so barring that, a sleek 18 ft. Kayak might be best.
Agree on the kayak. Years ago I had a West Side Boat Shop XR5. While fast, it was slower than several of their other boats. If you check out the XR5, note that they say it’s stable - don’t believe it. A lot like sitting on a log in the water - as I said before: only stable upside down. It did take weeks of practice to keep it upright. Also, you soon learn that an “air Brace” (waving the paddle around in the air - just before you roll over…) doesn’t work at all.
http://www.westsideboatshop.com/wild_water_racing_kayaks
These guys have a bunch of really fast boats.
.
Yep, kayak. I paddle a Huki S1X. Love it.
Depends on the level of equipment. A good racing SUP will beat a poor kayak. However, a good racing kayak will defeat a racing sup.
For any paddlers reading this thread.
Slightly off topic, but I’m looking for a used 2 piece carbon paddle, ~205-215cm.
Really want an Epic Small Mid Wing.
Heading to Hawaii soon… going to see what I can find there.
Stand-up paddle boards are only suitable for doing partner yoga.
For any paddlers reading this thread.
Slightly off topic, but I’m looking for a used 2 piece carbon paddle, ~205-215cm.
Really want an Epic Small Mid Wing.
Heading to Hawaii soon… going to see what I can find there.
Thats what I have, great paddle.