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WinnieThePug
  
05/04/2020 12:36PM  
Hello fellow paddlers! I am hoping for some remote assistance. I am purchasing a new wooden bent paddle for the first time and I have no idea how to measure this. Everything I'm researching says by torso size which I still can't figure out how to measure, but I'm hoping someone here can give me a relevant info to height.

I am 5'4". I see there are only a few sizes for bent paddles, usually ranging between 48" to 56". Could anyone let me know what the recommended bent shaft paddle size would be for a 5'4" person? Thank you!
 
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05/04/2020 01:31PM  
Here is sizing advice from 2 paddle companies:
Grey Owl sizing advice
Bending Branches sizing advice

I wouldn't be surprised if a 48" would be appropriate for you, but you should measure according to their advice.
 
SteveElms73
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05/04/2020 01:38PM  
I have three Bending Branches paddles. Two are straight and are 58", and the third is bent shaft and is 54". I'm 6 foot tall if that's of any assistance.

Here is the video that I used when I sized my paddles.
 
05/04/2020 01:40PM  
Ausable: "Here is sizing advice from 2 paddle companies:
Grey Owl sizing advice
Bending Branches sizing advice "


Simple and basic method. Just figure on changing things depending on the canoe and seat height over time and experiences, problem that brings is narrowing the choices. Was going to suggest a Kialoa adjustable length paddle but they have limitations only adjusting down to 52 inches, they would be suitable for taller folks.
At first just getting close in length will work. In my case the more experience and after changing hull designs I have gone considerably shorter.
5 1/2 ft tall, wide (fat), and long arms, paddle an Advantage solo with ZRE 48 inch shaft 15 degree bent or a 50 inch straight shaft. A reduction of 4+ inches over the shafts I began with years ago. Do you have a straight shaft you are comfortable with? Seems a lot of paddlers I know will drop 2 inches shaft length going to a bent.

butthead
 
05/04/2020 02:15PM  
Personally, I've had good success using the the paddle sizing instructions from Zaveral.
 
schweady
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05/04/2020 03:27PM  

 
gravelroad
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05/04/2020 06:10PM  
It bears repeating that optimal size will vary with the boat and where you sit in it. I use a 50” BB bent shaft in the stern of our Penobscot 17, and I’m 5’11”. My wife, 5’7”, uses a 52” in the bow. People who haven’t paddled with bent shafts frequently think we’re nuts for using such “short” paddles.

My advice is to try different paddles with the size obscured with tape. You might be shocked at what you prefer. :-)
 
mgraber
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05/04/2020 07:28PM  
My wife is 5-3 and uses a 48"(fairly short torso), my daughter is 5-5 and uses a 50"(average torso), I am 5-10 and use a 51-52"(easier on shoulders than my older 54", I have average torso). There is a lot more that goes in to it, arm length, seat height, etc. so measuring is a good idea, but I would wager that a 48-50" would be appropriate.

It doesn't seem like people can agree on how exactly to measure, and most people I know end up shorter than they were originally measured for.
 
05/05/2020 06:13AM  
Agree with the last two comments. With bent shafts- especially in the stern- most people in the beginning end up with too long of a paddle. 50" is max for myself - 5' 11" stern paddler.
 
justpaddlin
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05/05/2020 10:12AM  
I think you've already gotten perfect advice. I'll just add that if you kneel you may want a slightly longer paddle than if you sit. Many manufacturers only offer paddles in 2 or 3 inch increments so if you sit a 48 or 49 should work great for you...48 probably best.
 
WinnieThePug
  
05/05/2020 11:13AM  
Thank you everyone! This is excellent advice. I'm going with the 48". I was supposed to put in this Sunday for a 5 day/4 night trip, but alas, no more. Rescheduled for late August when the mozzies are fewer in numbers and the water is warm enough to swim, so will have to wait until then to get this bad boy in the canoe. Happy paddling to all this season!
 
05/05/2020 11:20AM  
With proper technique your paddle length is not affected by choice of bow or stern position (both seats are the same distance from the water). By and large bent shaft paddles are designed to optimize sit and switch paddling. If you kneel a straight shaft is probably a better choice.
 
EddyTurn
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05/05/2020 05:28PM  
I kneel 100% of the time and mostly paddle sit-and-switch with a bent-shaft. Straight shaft is used in adverse conditions when stability could be an issue or in white water for precision maneuvers.
 
justpaddlin
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05/05/2020 06:47PM  
I kneel and paddle sit and switch for the power and since I bought a six degree bent last year it's become my go-to paddle. I also think it's a bargain for a top quality CF paddle at $195.

 
05/05/2020 08:30PM  
EddyTurn: "I kneel 100% of the time and mostly paddle sit-and-switch with a bent-shaft. Straight shaft is used in adverse conditions when stability could be an issue or in white water for precision maneuvers."


Technically you can't paddle sit and switch unless you sit. Kneeling would be kneel and switch. If kneeling you want less bend than sitting (as in justpaddlin's six degree blade)
 
Moonman
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05/06/2020 07:45AM  
Paddle dimension sizing techniques from manufacturers are all approximations to predict best lengths for the majority of people and majority of boats. If you already own your canoe the best thing to do if possible before buying is to have the canoe in the water, in your regular seating position with regular load. Obviously this is the ideal sizing scenario. What you want to do is simulate the shaft length by placing an imaginary or real paddle in the water, to just get the blade fully immersed with maybe an inch or two below the surface to ensure a clean pull of water. That distance plus blade length equals paddle length. So you can see if your seat is higher towards the gunwales while sitting etc, the distance between paddle grip and where the blade enters the water is greater. Some people have longer arms, torso length etc etc so this is why it’s best to measure for each person and paddling station. I have made about 15 paddles, some for friends, and this is how I measure and design for length. In general many people use a paddle that is too long. All this does is add weight. You would be shocked how much paddle weight you can save by using a shorter paddle (assuming it is the correct size of course).

Moonman.
 
Abbey
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05/06/2020 09:01PM  
Also watch the blade length, which increases or decreases shaft length for the same overall length. My first two bent shafts were 54” and fit perfect. So I ordered the next one at 54”, and it was way too long. The 19” vs 15” blade length was a big deal and isn’t accounted for in most of the sizing recommendations.
 
EddyTurn
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05/17/2020 02:18PM  
Banksiana: "
EddyTurn: "I kneel 100% of the time and mostly paddle sit-and-switch with a bent-shaft. Straight shaft is used in adverse conditions when stability could be an issue or in white water for precision maneuvers."



Technically you can't paddle sit and switch unless you sit. Kneeling would be kneel and switch. If kneeling you want less bend than sitting (as in justpaddlin's six degree blade)"
Good semantic point, but why would you suggest different shaft angle for kneeling? My body position above the waste is the same both kneeling or sitting, except that kneeling I move forward an inch or two.
 
GraniteCliffs
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05/17/2020 06:20PM  
Paddle sizing has always managed to escape my tenuous grasp. I have tried any number as formulas as described above. None were very indicative of providing the comfort and feel I was looking for. I used to be 6’1. Down to 6 feet now that I am older. I paddle with either a 48 or 50 inch paddle. On solos always the 48.
It is sort of like buying a canoe. There is no formula that can tell you what to get. How much gear, what type of water will you paddle in, how heavy a load, etc. Most importantly how does the canoe feel when you are in it? I think the same thing translates to paddles. Strength of the paddler, distance paddled, body and arm size, etc all play a role. But how that old paddle FEELS in your arms when you paddle. Hence my short paddles.
 
em8260
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04/17/2021 10:04PM  
So how did you size this? Its 6 degrees, closer to a straight but still a bent shaft, did you use sizing for a straight or bent?
 
04/18/2021 08:41AM  
EddyTurn: "Good semantic point, but why would you suggest different shaft angle for kneeling? My body position above the waste [sic ] is the same both kneeling or sitting, except that kneeling I move forward an inch or two."



The power phase of your stoke occurs when the blade is at or near vertical. Kneeling increases the vertical phase of a stroke with a straight shaft- in a way a bent shaft is designed to mimic the near vertical entry of a kneeling paddler from a sitting position.
You have the greatest power and leverage when your hands are in front of your hips/torso- when seated, the bent causes the blade to in the vertical position while hands are in front of your hips/torso. When kneeling the vertical position of a bent paddle face extends beyond the phase in which your hands are in front of your hips/torso.


Look at your blade angle
with your normal stroke. Usually you will find that kneeling with a straight shaft you will maintain verticality through nearly all your stroke.

And sitting with a bent shaft you will maintain the verticality for nearly all of your stoke.



Varies according to individual posture and position.
 
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