Eureka: Thanks Mik.

**Coucal** · 26th April 2012, 11:34 PM

Hi, MAM.

Yes, that's exactly the way it works - the seats are not equidistant from the ends. The bow seat is further from the bow (leg room for a front paddler) than the rear seat needs to be from the stern. I can't remember the exact dimensions, but it's all in MIK's plans.

The boat can be paddled "facing forward" when with two aboard, and paddled "facing astern" when going solo. Since the bow seat is closer to the middle, you balance pretty well - although some moveable ballast up front helps (I take my foldable launching trolley).

(Actually, when paddling solo I prefer to kneel just "aft" of the centre crossbeam, with left knee tucked into the port lower chine. I hear less turbulence from under the bow and am more balanced from cross-winds. When my knees get sore or I want a change in position I just lift myself back to the seat for a break.)

I took a Canoeing Victoria training course on the Yarra last weekend - we were in little flat-runned rotomoulded whitewater kayaks. Great fun, but no tracking compared to the Eureka - several times I found myself doing involuntary 360s, despite mad paddling on the inner side.
So I'm very happy with how the Eureka paddles solo or two-up.

**Boatmik** · 29th April 2012, 07:39 PM

I found the same with whitewater kayaks.

It is a real challenge to prevent the 360s in a whitewater boat. But that's kindof what I ended up appreciating the most...

That single paddle canoes are easy to do at a basic level but require real practice and knowledge as you go up the ladder.

Complexity is always the interesting thing!

I would love to have a chance to practice whitewater enough to get some single paddle skills!

MIK

**b.o.a.t.** · 2nd May 2012, 03:25 AM

Spent what seems like half my life on the water into my early 20s paddling
"real" canoes with single paddle. I identify with, and appreciate the art of
the canoe ballet videos.

Adapted without drama to white water slalom kayaks & canoe polo bats
(too short to be called a 'boat', hence 'bat').

Slalom C1 however, utterly defeated me. Or very nearly so.
Right up there with catching flies with chop-sticks as far as I'm concerned.
Even the fact that you strap yourself into the wretched things faded into
insignificance compared with the boat's desire to gyrate wildly rather than go
forwards. I watch any footage of slalom C1 paddling at the Olympics with
genuine & heart-felt awe.

**woodeneye** · 2nd May 2012, 08:17 PM

Simple design from a talented designer, but always stunning. Congratulations on a build well executed!

Thread: Eureka: Thanks Mik.

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