Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Wenonah Advantage advice
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jhb8426 |
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Blatz |
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butthead |
ron77: " If I tried to turn back would I dump in the cross swells? Also I’m wondering what your paddle preference is? And yes this is my first solo so it’s a learning curve for me. Thanks so much again for your help :)" Yeah, turning to cross thru swell is a matter of timing. Easy to do wrong. When I turn 180 in such conditions, I slow down a bit to get ready for some hard paddling. Watch the wave frequency and commit just as you top a wave and I do as much of my turn quickly while in the trough. I can take that in pieces 4-45's, 2-90's to reverse direction, but you need to concentrate and keep your head. No time for sight seeing! I carry 2 ZRE Carbon Lite paddles, 48 inch 8inch wide, 15 degree bent for traveling, 50 inch straight shaft 8 1/2 inch wide for play and control in tough condition. I'm 5feet 6inch, wide in shoulders (and other areas), and long arms. Personally, no fan of yak paddles, probably get warts from them (wink/nudge at Blatz)! This is just my way, again I am sure some of the bunch-O-Advantage paddlers will chime in with alternate thoughts. butthead |
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ron77 |
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Blatz |
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butthead |
I fly fish and bait cast for pike a lot from it and have fought and unhooked several 42+ inch pike. Largest I ever kept was 36 inches though. I use truck bed spay paint on my stems, it wears quickly but can be stripped off and re-applied easily. Scratches on the bottom only get a thin application of marine varnish when they build up. Friend have used tape on protective strips KeelEazy and polyester or epoxy impregnated felt strips for skid plates. The Advantage likes a rear weight bias for wind. I use 2 packs and in wing will pull the front toward me and the rear larger pack back as far as I can, I save seat adjustment for extra as needed trim. By settling the back end I can push the front in my intended direction. Other Advantage paddlers may not but this is how I do it often (I'm sure others will add to this). butthead |
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ron77 |
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MReid |
ron77: " I took my foot brace out, looks like I should re-install it haha :) " Definitely reinstall them. Bracing on the footbraces, with knees or legs tight against the gunnels is really the only way to paddle this type of boat in tough conditions. It's sort of like strapping yourself in-- you can let the boat bop around and still have control of your center of gravity. Doing that also lets you use your hips to turn--just pressure one cheek and she'll turn nicely. Just sitting on the seat without anything feels like you're a bobblehead. |
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butthead |
Blatz: "Hey now Butthead I'm single blade bent shatfter 98% of the time. I purchased a Werner Ovation a few years back and I feel I gotta use it some times since I paid so damn much for it. My warts are clearing up nicely " ++++! butthead |
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tonecoughlin |
https://youtu.be/V4qGLZDgfXM |
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Banksiana |
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ron77 |
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ron77 |
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Beast388 |
Initially, I was nervous, but quickly got comfortable as I spent more time in the seat. For fishing, or just tooling around, I use an old Wenonah 52" bent shaft. For all out speed, making time across a lake, I use a BB 260cm double blade. I wore gloves so the warts aren't too bad. In the wind, I felt more comfortable with the double blade since I could quickly hit on either side as needed, without the switch. We did have some serious wind this past week, and I had to pull over to shore to avoid dumping in the white caps. I was able to fish out of the Advantage, but I had to really concentrate on balance as I cast, reeled in, and lipped fish out of the water. Fishing from a tandem is certainly more relaxing. Since I spent the past few months "restoring" my Advantage, I tried to avoid the wear and scrapes that are easy to come by in the BWCA. I used heavy duty duct tape on the stems, but wore through on the bow. I will be cleaning up and repairing the scratches that I incurred. We paddled out of the BWCA yesterday and had glassy water, fog, frost from the island site Lake Polly to the top of Kawishiwi Lake. That lake greeted us with a stiff headwind all the way down to EP 37. I ripped down that lake with the double blade....love the speed and glide of the Advantage. |
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ron77 |
I bought a 52” 12 degree carbon fiber bent shaft and tried the sit and switch method. It was a lot different for me after paddling one sided all my life. With sit and switch after about 3 or 4 strokes I’d feel the need to switch. I’m probably doin something wrong. Also I checked my speed and I averaged nearly 4 mph. With my dirty db it was a lot easier for me and my average speed was a bit better at about 4.5 mph. Do those speeds seem about right? Anyways, I feel way more comfortable it my advantage and can’t wait to get out this weekend :) |
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MReid |
ron77: "I bought a 52” 12 degree carbon fiber bent shaft and tried the sit and switch method. It was a lot different for me after paddling one sided all my life. With sit and switch after about 3 or 4 strokes I’d feel the need to switch. I’m probably doin something wrong. Also I checked my speed and I averaged nearly 4 mph. With my dirty db it was a lot easier for me and my average speed was a bit better at about 4.5 mph. Do those speeds seem about right?" Just like everything, it takes some practice to properly use a bent shaft. The switch is critical--it should be smooth and very fast. Paddle should be near vertical during the power phase. The stroke is much shorter than with straight shafts and kayak blades--the blade should be coming out at about when your lower hand gets to your hip. Watch some Au Sable races on youtube, and you'll get the idea. It might take a while to get that fast, though! |
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Banksiana |
I'm a believer in the right sized carbon bent (ZRE is my brand/friend) as the best means to propel the Advantage. Sizing is important- almost everyone goes longer than ideal (eg average 6 foot person should get 52" or less bent). If your switch technique is sloppy stay out of the big stuff until your switch is smooth and quick. Efficient switch is really inhibited by too long of paddle. As Butthead noted; the Advantage likes a stern bias weighting. I've taken many trips with just one large pack in the stern and done fine. In a crosswind the stern bias is extreme to keep from pointing into the wind- sometimes this tendency to point is almost impossible to defeat and you end up single side paddling with extreme vigor for miles. Uncomfortable, yes but you will really cover the ground. The physics of this is due to that pushing through the water basically fixes the bow in directional place so the wind pushes the stern despite its considerably less surface exposure to the wind. Keeping your packs below the gunwales is also a significant factor. I bought my Advantage in 86 and paddle the shield country on any day I have time and the wind and weather are cooperative "enough". Scratches happen- epoxy way softer than rock. I repair the stems whenever necessary with a strip or two of fiberglass- sanded to keep the shape of the boat. When I do the stems I'll rough up any areas with exposed kevlar and paint them with resin. Its a canoe, not a sculpture. Take care of it but wear your scars with pride. Warrior |
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Blatz |
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Blatz |
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