Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: New paddle selection question(s)
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andym |
It does leave out variations in seat height above the water but that tends to be a much smaller effect than body size. Other than that, I like the advice given already. I would get two bent shaft paddles that use up most of your budget and a cheaper straight as a spare and to give that a try too. For a really inexpensive straight shaft paddle, consider a Carlisle metal/plastic paddle. They're about $20 on Amazon and we use them for guests and sometimes as our own spares. They get the job done. |
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mschi772 |
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unshavenman |
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mjmkjun |
The selections out there are mind-boggling, aren't they? Good luck with your search. It's a personal, kinda intimate thing selecting a paddle--especially in-store. Ultimately, I paddle with a double blade (kayak) paddle--especially for crossings on lakes. I'm just more efficient with a yak paddle. (soloist) |
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sedges |
A bent shaft in the bow and beavertail in the stern will make matching cadence difficult unless it is a real short beavertail (long bents really don't work). Two bents is best, but if one person doesn't especially like the bent a shorter straight shaft with a blade shape similar to the bent will work well. Often a stern paddler will prefer a straight for easier steering strokes, but make it short enough that you can easily match cadence with your bow paddler. We travel with two bents which we use most of the time. Our spare is a heavy duty straight shaft that we get out for a shallow rocky passage or one that requires strong draw strokes to maneuver. |
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TreeBear |
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justpaddlin |
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butthead |
I have a few I could part with. butthead |
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Banksiana |
justpaddlin: " They are nice paddles..my wife won't use anything else. They are low priced and relatively light since they are not laminated lay-ups. " Generally lamination saves weight over single piece construction. If you tend to sit in the seats a bent is a better option with the X-17, if you kneel go straight. |
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WhiteWolf |
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Tomcat |
Werner Luna Paddle |
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MReid |
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butthead |
I have a few prior to name change from Camp Paddle, lighter and more comfortable than the BB's I have. Personal choice is what it's all about. What feels good to you in hand and on the water is the important point to consider, try as many as possible first, you will change in what you like with experience, so expect to buy a few over the years. My personal ideas probably not be shared with others but to each their own. I personally like full bent short shaft min/med blade width and very slightly longer straight wide as possible, to me tools for use not a piece of art, nor do I care for long skinny blades, beaver/otter tails. But that's me not necessarily you! I finally decided to spend $$$ on custom spec-ed Zaverals. They are worth every cent paid and my only choice now. butthead |
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schweady |
We do carry a basic wood straight shaft as our spare paddle. Need to have something on which you can clean the walleye, you know. :-) |
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TreeBear |
Yes, certain blade shapes and grips and lengths are designed for certain applications, but for the average paddler, it's all about feel. Palm grip or t-handle, what feels best in your hands? Length; sure there is a length that is recommended, but find a paddle that fits your stroke. You don't want to feel like you're reaching. The guidlines for length are a great place to start. As for blade shape, a big wide blade will move more water, a smaller blade will be less fatiguing. Somewhere in the middle is generally good, and you will find all sorts of shapes and hybrid shapes of blade along the way. If you have friends who paddle, and will let you test what they have, you can get a real good feel for what you like and don't like in terms of feel. Also go to a store or outfitter with paddles and jut hold some. Like I said, there isn't any really terribly wrong answers in terms of paddle shape, but some will be more practical than others. As for brand, the ones you have listed have great selection. I own a Sanborn and a FoxWorx. Sanborn are amazing, but can be expensive. I love my FoxWorx bent shaft, and they have really good deals from time to time. I know NorthStar canoe has paddles also, though I have not personally used one. Good luck. Hope this helped some. |
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Jackfish |
Frankly, I can't imagine doing a canoe trip and paddling strictly straight blades because I feel the bent shaft paddles are so much more efficient in the water. And for those who say a bent shaft isn't good for ruddering in the stern... I say, the bent shaft is the perfect ruddering paddle because it's already bent. I have no issue utilizing that corrective stroke while paddling. |
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scrapiron |
I'll check out FoxWorx and their bent blades to see what's what. |
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WhiteWolf |
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scrapiron |
We'll be in the seats 99% of the time I imagine. I think we'll start with bent shaft paddles- anything that makes it easier helps get us out on the water. :) On the next topic- size. Measured the BB way- flat chair, tape measure from chair to tip of nose: Wife's torso is 30" so a 52" bent shaft? My torso measured 33.5 so a 54" bent shaft? I'm 6'2, she's 5'10". That paddle length still seems long. I know, I know, there are more accurate ways to figure this out. I'm thinking along with WhiteWolf... should I reduce the above length by 2 inches? FoxWorx Foxfire Bent Shaft- too much paddle to start with? |
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GSP |
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justpaddlin |
scrapiron: "More solid advice, thanks everyone! I'm not sure what you mean by "too much paddle" but that Foxfire looks very nice so no matter what you mean the answer is no. It's nice that they offer it in one inch size increments. Fortunately I kneel so don't have to take any responsibility in helping you choose the right length. You're actually wanting to size the right shaft length, not the overall paddle length. The height of your seat can affect proper shaft length. You want to make sure the paddle blade is fully underwater during the power phase of your stroke and as the shaft gets "too long" it may be harder to do proper vertical paddle strokes (with your hands stacked) and you may to do sweep strokes which aren't as efficient. It sure would be good to borrow some bents to help you figure out sizing...if you are near SW Michigan you could try a couple of mine. Just FYI one option you have would be to buy a couple of Zaverals in their sturdy and less expensive Recreational lay-up and also request blems. They would still be around $215 each but if you are brave you can order them on the long side and request that the handles not be glued. The handles will stay in place fine with electrical tape. Then you can use them and shorten the shafts a little at a time with a hacksaw until they feel perfect. It's easy to cut a carbon fiber shaft with a hacksaw...just wrap tape around it before cutting to help avoid fraying at the cut. This approach would pretty much guarantee that you get top quality paddles that fit and help you avoid any "trial and error" boo boos around buying the wrong length paddles. Alternatively you might buy one Foxfire first and trade between yourself and your partner to see who likes it best and then you'd have a better idea of the ideal length for the other person. |
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scrapiron |
So silly me... remembered I've been using a SeaSense 54" paddle and that has seemed too short for me. The blade is only 14.5" long-not sure if that matters. I've got about 3.5 inches between the bottom of my and and the top of the blade (using Badgerpaddle method of 90 degree arm bend). 'too much paddle' meaning too much $. :) We're in NC and canoeing isn't a 'thing' around here. A veritable wasteland. I talked to Dale @ FoxWorx and he suggested the Classic bent for me and the Microlite bent for my wife. Just outside my budget, but doable. I like the idea of ordering one and seeing how it feels, thanks for that suggestion. |
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scrapiron |
My 'bluezone' is 36 inches. whoa! |
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justpaddlin |
mschi772: "Am I insane for being really interested in trying a bent-shaft ottertail? I've never even heard of one existing, but I'm thinking about having one made to experience what it might be like." You're not insane, just passionate and curious. I'd guess that the biggest reason we don't see bent shafts with long blades is that it would be awkward to get the long blade out of the water after each stroke. Long paddles also don't swing as effortlessly as short ones so they will slow down your cadence pretty dramatically (a 10% increase in length increases swing inertia by around 40%). If you try using a straight shaft Ottertail like a bent shaft you can get some feel for the awkwardness. If you have a bent Ottertail made you'd want to keep the shaft length on the short side. |
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TrekScouter |
sedges: "Matching cadence bow and stern is important for efficiency and stability in rough conditions. +1 on this. You’ll want to have paddles of reasonably similar style front and rear. A long narrow beavertail and a short fat racing blade are not a good match, regardless of who sits front and rear. |
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Blatz |
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THEGrandRapids |
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mschi772 |
justpaddlin: "mschi772: "Am I insane for being really interested in trying a bent-shaft ottertail? I've never even heard of one existing, but I'm thinking about having one made to experience what it might be like." Well, if I ever have one made, I'll look you up and let you know how it goes. I know just the guys who'd make one for me, too. Winnebago Paddles made this custom bent-shaft for my girlfriend a couple years ago now, and it has been awesome. |
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sedges |
Much cheaper than that often do not have comfortable shaft and grip shapes and have very bad finishes. This is the only one I might consider: https://www.cavinesspaddles.net/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BS14 This company has made real cheap, poorly design paddles for decades, but recently developed a more sophisticated line and they are OK for the money. Oval shaft and OK top grip. Free shipping, too. If you have any woodworking interests, laminated paddles are amazing easy to make and fun to experiment with. I'm in NE GA where are you in NC? |
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scrapiron |
We'll be mainly in lakes and saltwater inshore (so some shallows). Right now thinking a bent shaft for the bow person and a beaver tail for the stern paddler. Or can we use a bent shaft for both positions? We are all experienced kayakers but new with the canoe. And right now not comfortable dropping $ for carbon paddles just yet. Is there a big difference between Bending Branches or Wenonah (Grey Owl)? Looking to spend around $100- $120 per paddle. Any other brands I should investigate? Bending Branches: BB Special for the bent shaft and the Beavertail for the straight. Wenonah: Boundary Waters for the bent shaft and ? for the straight Grey Owl: Sprite for the bent and the Guide? for straight Thanks for any advice! |
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scrapiron |
I see what you did there. :) Added a straight shaft paddle into the mix. On one hand I agree- I'd like to keep the investment small till I get a feel for what works. On the other hand, I know there's a typical entry point to get past the junk stuff- with paddles it seems to be around $100. And then there's the, well, for 'just' a little more, you step up a level or two. I do want to get the most efficient paddle for my bow person- will make a difference on enjoyment/use/participation as I found out with kayak paddles. Looked at the Cavieness paddles at Cabela's.. they're still making terrible paddles. wow did they stink. Rough, bent, crooked, etc. Sure, they were around $20- $25, but bleh. I'll look at the premium line you linked. |