Kayak Efficiency
One of the gripes I have with my Explorer HV is that it feels slow. Whether or not it is actually slow has to do with
the engine (aka me). Speed isn't the issue, efficiency is. Is the Explorer an efficient kayak? Compared to what? The
most common measure of efficiency is Winters/KAPER (more info). Using that data as published in Sea
Kayaker Magazine, I was able to generate the following graph. The lines represent the percentage difference in
efficiency as compared to the explorer.
Based on this data, the Explorer doesn't do too badly below 4.5 knots. Between 4.5 and 5.0, the Explorer seems to hit a
wall. At 5 knots, the Valley Aquanaut is over 7% more efficient, the Impex Force 5 is 4% more efficient and the CD
Gulfstream is 1.6% more efficient. At 6 knots, the Explorer looks downright pokey. The Aquanaut is 16% more efficient,
the Force 5 is 10% more efficient, and the Gulfstream is 8% more efficient. There are clearly more efficient kayaks
than the Explorer at higher speeds. What about lower ones?
At 3 knots, the Valley Nordkapp LV is 5.88% more efficient, the CD Cypress is 3.3% more efficient, and the CD Gulfstream
is 3% more efficient. At 4 knots, the Nordkapp LV is 3% more efficient, the Cypress is 2.2% more efficient and the
Gulfstream is .5% more efficient.
None of these numbers seem to contradict conventional wisdom. It is generally believed that the Aquanaut is "fast" and
the Explorer is "slow". It's obvious that the Aquanaut is more efficient at higher speeds. The Nordkapp LV is a bit of
an oddball. It is said to be a fast kayak, but the data does not support that. It is more efficient than the Explorer
below 4.5 knots and less efficient above. That explains the kayak's quick acceleration, but not the perception of top
end speed.
What does all of this mean in the real world? Do a few percentage points of efficiency really matter? I don't think
so. If I'm going to go a long way really fast, then I'd prefer to do it in an Aquanaut. However, most of my paddling
is done right in the range in which the Explorer is fairly efficient. It may feel slow, but the data seems to indicate
that it's a problem with me, not the kayak.