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18-617: The natural channel flows in both directions every six hours, from the lake to the sea and vice versa during the rising tide facilitating the access of saline waters into Lake Butrint. A pontoon is situated near the gate of the Butrint National Park . Two small forts, the Ali Pasha Castle and the Venetian Triangular Castle , are located near the mouth of the channel; both were built during

36-443: A direction opposite to the direction of travel (i.e. paddling ). A paddle is different from an oar (which can be similar in shape and perform the same function via rowing ) – an oar is attached to the watercraft via a fulcrum. The term "paddle" can also be used to describe objects of similar shapes or functions: Paddles commonly used in canoes consist of a wooden , fibreglass , carbon fibre , or metal rod (the shaft ) with

54-573: A handle on one end and a rigid sheet (the blade ) on the other end. Paddles for use in kayaks are longer, with a blade on each end; they are handled from the middle of the shaft. Kayak paddles having blades in the same plane (when viewed down the shaft) are called "un-feathered." Paddles with blades in different planes are called "feathered". Feathered paddles are measured by the degree of feather, such as 30, 45, or even 90 degrees. Many modern paddles are made of two pieces which can be snapped together in either feathered or unfeathered settings. The shaft

72-431: A larger surface area may be desirable for a strong person with good shoulder joints, but tiring for a weaker person or a person with less than perfect shoulder joints. Because normal paddling involves alternately dipping and raising the paddle blades, the colour of the blades may affect the visibility of the kayaker to powerboats operators under limited visibility conditions. For this reason white or yellow blades may offer

90-432: A safety advantage over black or blue blades. Of course, kayakers should wear a headlamp or have other lighting on their kayak under conditions of limited lighting. However, if a powerboat operator must look straight into a sun low in the sky to see a kayaker, the motion of brightly coloured paddle blades may be of more value than lighting on the kayak. Highly reflective water resistant tape (e.g. SOLAS tape) may be affixed to

108-432: A wooden platform on two columns of steel barrels welded together end-to-end, creating a sturdy deck that would be more stable on a lake than a conventional boat. Living in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", Weeres thought this idea might be marketed. The first boat was "The Empress". He built a few boats and sold them with the help of dealers. He started Weeres Industries to meet unexpected demand. Weeres, later called "Mr. Pontoon",

126-438: Is normally straight but in some cases a 'crank' is added with the aim of making the paddle more comfortable and reducing strain on the wrist. Because the kayak paddle is not supported by the boat, paddles made of lighter materials are desired; it is not uncommon for a kayak paddle to be two pounds (32 ounces (910 grams) ) or less and very expensive paddles can be as light as 22 ounces (620 grams). Weight savings are more desirable at

144-581: Is now able to be applied to the stern due to design improvements. Pontoon boat drafts may be as shallow as eight inches (20 centimetres), which reduces risk of running aground and underwater damage; this allows it to come close to shore to pick up and drop off loads. The 1952 invention of the pontoon motorboat in the United States is credited to a farmer who lived on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes, near Richmond, Minnesota . Ambrose Weeres put

162-407: Is when a large force applied to the side capsizes a pontoon boat without much warning, particularly a top-heavy boat. Paddle A paddle is a handheld tool with an elongated handle and a flat, widened end (the blade ) used as a lever to apply force onto the bladed end. It most commonly describes a completely handheld tool used to propel a human-powered watercraft by pushing water in

180-434: The efficiency of their stroke. Wing bladed paddles are very popular in kayak racing. A wing paddle looks like a spoon and acts like a wing or sail, generating lift on the convex side, which pulls the paddle forward-outward at the expense of overcoming drag. This gives additional forward thrust as compared with a flat paddle with forward thrust mainly from drag. Bent shaft paddles, popular with tripping and marathon canoers, have

198-495: The ends of the paddle rather than in the middle. Cheaper kayak paddles have an aluminium shaft while more expensive ones use a lighter fibreglass or carbon fibre shaft. Some paddles have a smaller diameter shaft for people with smaller hands. Paddle length varies with a longer paddle being better suited for stronger people, taller people, and people using the paddle in a wider kayak. Some paddle makers have an online paddle size calculator. Blades vary in size and shape. A blade with

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216-434: The paddle blades and boat to enhance visibility. The paddle is held with two hands, some distance apart from each other. For normal use, it is drawn through the water from front ( bow ) to back ( stern ) to drive the boat forwards. The two blades of a kayak paddle are dipped alternately on either side of the kayak. A paddle is distinguished from an oar in that the paddle is held in the user's hands and completely supported by

234-499: The paddler, whereas an oar is primarily supported by the boat, through the use of oarlocks . Gloves may be worn to prevent blistering for long periods of paddling. On mechanical paddle steamers , the motorized paddling is not done with a mass of paddles or oars but by rotating one or a few paddle wheels (rather the inverse of a water mill ). Racing paddles also have special designs. They are generally less flat and are curved to catch more water, which enable racing paddlers to maximize

252-1053: The pontoon. Pontoons may support a platform, creating a raft . A raft supporting a house-like structure is a houseboat . A pontoon boat keeping a sauna cabin is called a sauna boat or sauntoon. Small inflatable pontoon boats are one or two-person, catamaran-type boats, designed for leisure and fishing. Their pontoons are made out of abrasion-resistant PVC and nylon with aluminum, steel, and plastic frames for support. In today’s setting, more and more people prefer to use frameless pontoon boats. They are powered with paddles , oars and often with electric trolling motors using deep cycle lead batteries . Commonly they are equipped with motor mount, battery storage area, fishing rod holders, canopy, fishfinder mount, small anchor , and other required fishing gear. Such boats are suitable for ponds, lakes, rivers, and seas during calm weather. However, due to their light weight, they are susceptible to waves and windy conditions. Nonetheless, such boats are often used even for big game fishing . The pontoon effect

270-606: The rule of Ali Pasha of Ioannina . According to international organizations, the channel serves as the demarcation line where the Adriatic Sea ends and the Ionian Sea begins. The channel creates a unique situation in Lake Butrint, which is partly fed with fresh water and partly with salt water, thereby creating ideal conditions for mollusks farming. During the communist regime, many students used to volunteer in

288-485: The summer time to search for ancient ruins in the Butrint National Park. Pontoon (boat) A pontoon boat is a flattish boat that relies on floats to remain buoyant. These pontoons (also called tubes ) contain much reserve buoyancy and allow designers to create large deck plans fitted with a variety of accommodations including expansive lounge areas, stand-up bars, and sun pads. More horsepower

306-580: The world, especially in Africa . Pontoon ferries may be motorized, such as the Kazungula Ferry across the Zambezi River , or powered by another boat, or pulled by cables. A type of ferry known as the cable ferry (also called punts in medieval times and in modern Australia and New Zealand ) pull themselves across a river using a motor or human power applied to the cable, which also guides

324-816: Was elected to the Minnesota Marina Hall of Fame . Common pontoon boat designs are a catamaran with two hulls , or a trimaran with three hulls. Boats with three hulls are sometimes called tri-toons. Pontoon boat designs have changed significantly since the early 2000s, with boats now featuring larger tubes, increased engine horsepower, and cuddy cabins . Pontoon boats are used for pleasure on lakes and rivers, and in some cases on oceans close to shore. Pontoon watersport activities include tubing, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. Common pontoon accessories include inflatable slides, diving boards, sun shades, and Bimini tops . They are also used as small vessel ferries to cross rivers and lakes in many parts of

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