JEM Watercraft

The couple of times i've had her out if i'm paddling fairly slowly i can keep straight just paddling on one side.
But when i try get moving she's all over the place and need to change side every couple of strokes.
Would it be worth gluing runners along the bottom to help tracking.
I'm a bit torn. I'd like her to track a little better but i am reluctant to do the runners.
Any opinions would be muchly appreciated.
I need to decide to decide as i'm going to graphite the bottom and now the weathers warming up enough for epoxy i'm just getting ready to finish the build.

If you glue the runners, it will help. But it will make a bit harder to turn when you want it to. So if you spend most of your time in a straight line path, then you should be just fine.

Google the "J" Stroke and try it when paddling , it moves you forward and keeps the boat in line at the same time without having to switch sides.

Chuck.

There's some good bill mason videos on google videos that i've had a look at.
I can do the j stroke and keep her straight if i'm not going too fast.
If i try to pick up the pace it goes all over the place.
I'm sure i could still improve my technique though.
I'd prefer to keep the keep the bottom as is so I'll just have to practice more.

Barneseye wrote: I'm sure i could still improve my technique though.
I'd prefer to keep the keep the bottom as is so I'll just have to practice more.

After a while it just natural ( 2nd nature ) to you when you paddle , no matter if you are just easing along or trying to cover some water.
I have had a little practice at it , slightly more then 55 years , and none of my boats have runners or keels on them.

Chuck.

I watched Chuck paddle on the Brazos ,he knows his stuff.
Ron

Thanks for the input.
It sounds like a good excuse to spend more time in the boat 'practicing'.
Just need to get her finished.

Looked at the blurb for a Merrimac and it says it has moderate rocker and is very manouverable.... That's your trade off for speed and tracking. I know "cos I have an inflatable whitewater kayak,
similar characteristics. Add wind and gets worse. Just enjoy the paddle, let the olympic guys worry about speed. Speeeeeeeeeeed vs efficiency
Regards John.