Re: Potters and high altitude

james nolan (nolan_laboratories@email.msn.com)
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 13:17:18 -0600

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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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As you can see Colorado Potterers are proud of their high altitude. I've
done some digging and it looks like the highest altitude sailable (within
reason) lake in Colorado and perhaps North America is Jefferson Lake in Park
County, Colorado. It is at 10,687 feet, has a boat ramp and is 145 surface
acres. Ironically it is located in the valley region known as South Park.
Additionally it has a hunting seasons for PWC's and there is a 2 bag limit.
Does anyone know of a higher lake with a launch ramp in North America that
can be sailed? I'm beginning to smell some record setting fervor. Maybe we
can set off some of those self inflating life jackets and have our own
Macy's Day Parade.

Jim Nolan P(N)-19 P-15 L138T LGYC #6

-----Original Message-----
From: Thos. Westerman <thomasw@vanion.com>
To: nolan_laboratories@email.msn.com <nolan_laboratories@email.msn.com>
Cc: potter mail list <wwpotter@tscnet.com>
Date: Monday, August 16, 1999 11:04 AM
Subject: Potters and high altitude

>>As far as altitude, I haven't sailed below 5200 feet elevation and the
>>practice pond out front is at 9000 feet elevation. Since it is closer to
the
>>jetstream you can sail faster.
>
>You forgot to mention effects of the altitude vis a vie: Lower air
>density. Of course we all know that with lower air pressure we have less
>resistance against the hull-an advantage. However one must also factor in
>the cooler temperature at higher elevation and the resulting densification
>of the air due to temperature, counteracting the low air pressure. Third,
>since air movement is essential to the propulsion system of your potter, we
>must factor the advantage that we gain in low air pressure/density against
>the hull (advantage) with the lower density/pressure of the air movement
>against the sails (propulsion system) (disadvantage). Seems they may
>cancel each other out.
>
>Certainly our gasoline powered motors are less efficient too due to the
>lower air density, thus less availability of O2 per intake to mix with the
>fuel for combustion.
>
>Dont even get me started on the UV rays thing. With less atmosphere (and
>in most cases smog too) to filter out those damaging little rays, items
>susceptible to UV damage (sailcloth, ropelines, wood, etc. including
>captain's epidermal tissue) wont last as long as might be possible in the
>low lands due to higher UV exposure/dosing. But at least we dont have to
>subject our precious equipment to that other menace--high concentration
>chemical salts ion attack.
>
>Were talkin high altitude potters here. Remember also, the self inflating
>type V life jackets work better up here and fill faster and more firmly
>than for our counterparts jackets do "down in the lowly lowlands"
>
>Thomas Westerman
>P19 #578
>Colorado Springs (6000 feet) (that's a mile plus an extra 1000 for safety
>or good luck, which ever comes first)
>