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Author	Message Text
justpaddlin	06/19/2020 01:17PM   I've had two Sawyer paddles and was not impressed with the quality so they are long gone...maybe some of the heavy duty models are better. I won't be buying any more Sawyers since there are lots of other good choices out there. There's a new one from BB called the Catalyst ST that has a nice looking blade size and shape and heavy duty construction and a symmetric grip. I think there are Grey Owl models with a fine reputation like the Voyageur. If you are open to a composite paddle there are lots of choices. Even my lightweight Zaverals have taken plenty of hard hits on rocks with either zero damage or at worst tiny chips like (1-2 mm) in the blade edge. In the past I've also broken light duty wood paddles on rock hits...but just knocked chunks out of the blade, never split a shaft.
butthead	06/16/2020 01:04PM   Explorer Plus. Underbuilt BB paddle? Seems more like you abused it by trying to pole upstream with it. butthead
sedges	06/16/2020 02:05PM   Tell us what part of the paddle broke; shaft, blade or blade tip. How was it being used when it broke? It is possible to find shafts made with stronger, but heavier woods and blades reinforced with fiberglass. I always carry a spare paddle and it is usually a much stronger heavier straight shaft that I switch to when I might be banging it up or using it like a pole. Get to use that feather weight bent 95% of the time. Shallow river trips I take that solid ash paddle I have had for 53 years now. I'd hurt myself before I broke it.
MReid	06/16/2020 02:45PM
butthead	06/16/2020 04:52PM   "foolishly attempting an upstream to avoid a very short portage while soloing" Is what the comment is based on, not much other indication written. butthead
MReid	06/16/2020 05:24PM   butthead: ""foolishly attempting an upstream to avoid a very short portage while soloing" Is what the comment is based on, not much other indication written. butthead" Point taken from my oversight. Edited.
ewbeyer	06/17/2020 02:42PM   I inadvertently hit a rock while digging upstream and the blade instantly split in half right up its length of the shaft like a piece of fire wood. No prior gouges or anything. I felt something and looked to see half of the paddle floating away. I instinctively took a couple strokes while momentarily hanging in the current before i was able to reach my spare, but it was too late and I was simply able to steer my way back through the chute backwards uneventfully. Really good thing I had a spare with me. Of course, one always should. IT was a Java - and I know it is built to be light - so, I am not blaming it. I am simply saying that stuff happens when you don't expect it, so personally would prefer a little more heft. I was not poling - just hit a rock that I did not see paddling what appeared to be a clean run into significant current. @sedges - I think I am going to go in that direction - I wish I would have used the spare for my ascent attempt. Sawyer - is cedar and Doug Fir - BB is basswood - wondered if anyone had any experience with Sawyer.
TrailZen	06/17/2020 04:36PM   We've owned several Sawyer paddles, and had years of good service from them. We sold a couple when we got carbon paddles a couple years back, but still carry a 60" Sawyer T-grip straight-shaft paddle as our spare. Tried looking up the model name for it, but it no longer appears on the Sawyer site; we bought it in 2003, I think, and it's seen several hundred miles of use... Here it is on Blackstone (Quetico). TZ
sedges	06/17/2020 08:45PM   If you use a paddle in the manner you describe I would get a paddle intended for whitewater. Tips are usually bombproof and the blades have a 2 - 4 ounce fiberglass covering. If you are a real bear you can get the shaft with a glass sleeve as well. I like the following, but there are many out there. http://www.mitchellpaddles.com/paddles/cww/obww.html I have also glassed blades on several paddles that didn't come that way. Its pretty easy, but I have a stock of materials left over from woodstrip canoe projects. Getting tiny quantities of glass and epoxy isn't easy unless you have a friend who already has the stuff.
ewbeyer	06/15/2020 11:29AM   Destroyed an underbuilt BB while foolishly attempting an upstream to avoid a very short portage while soloing. Only the paddle was harmed. Considering a beefy-er BB. Considering a BB cruiser. Don't want a T-handle, so excluded the Expedition Plus. Considering a Sawyer Voyageur. Pros/cons? Others? Straight shaft is all I am interested in here.