Hydromechanics of Sprint Canoes [pdf]

I paddled alot of these: The old wodden "Deltas" width the ridiculous beam width of 75cm as well as a monstrous version made out of composite that was near impossible to trim in windy conditions. I hated those.

I made a few strokes in the famous 2001 model Olimpia that was extremely difficult to trim. Like dancing on a toothpick. I liked the characteristics of that boat though: Very stiff and always straightening itself up. Due to it's shape it had bad directional stability. In situations with wind or a competitor next to you, you had the disadvantage of having to steer alot. Steering slows you down and costs stamina as hell.

Then the Dominator that had a much better directional stability, but would always tilt unless you kept in in balance. I never really liked that.

Now Plastex uses a trapezoid geometry in it's Fighter-line. For me that's the best of both worlds. It combines the characteristics I like from the Olympia and the directional stability of the Dominator. It's a pleasure to drive that boat! Still, it's even less stable in waves than the other ones and I regularly get frightened in churned up water. The Dominator was much more smooth here.

Edit: Spelling