Re: [Paddlewise] Re throw-weight

I have a 7"6" Greenland by Superior as well as 2 Little Dippers of 7'6" and
6'.  I also have an Eddyline Windswift of 7'6".  All unfeathered.  In the
Little Dipper I prefer the 8' to the 7'6".  The higher cadence is just not
enjoyable to me.  I tried a shorter Greenland but it also feels to fast in
cadence.  The Windswift has about the same pulling power as the Greenland
and more than the Little Dipper.  It is a very nice narrow bladed paddle.

After numerous time trials over 8 nautical miles, at my touring speed which
is slightly more than 4 knots, I find hardly any difference in speed or how
tired I am, between all these paddles.  I choose one depending on my mood.
If it is very rough and windy, however, I prefer the long Little Dipper.  It
gives me more turning power and each stroke acts as a stabilizing outrigger.
Also the slow cadence allows me to relax more in the conditions.

Jerry
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert C. Perkins <rperkins_at_fayettevillenc.com>
To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Date: Sunday, July 19, 1998 12:51 PM
Subject: [Paddlewise] Re throw-weight


>A wooden Greenland-style paddle is heavy, but it has a couple of
>differences over other paddles.  On mine, the shaft is about an eighth of
>an inch thicker where I grip it than is the shaft on my Werner paddles.
>For me the larger diameter is comfortable.  All three of my paddles--one
>Greenland and two Werners--are well balanced.  Most of the weight is in the
>shaft, close to my hands, so I don't notice it too much.  However, I have a
>cut-down plastic and aluminum paddle that I carry as a reserve.  I learned
>the hard way that it will get me home.  However, it's a bummer to use.
>Most of the weight is out in the blade and it doesn't balance.  It's the
>only one of my paddles that is unbalanced.  My wooden canoe paddles are
>fairly light and well balanced.
>
>Some time back I corresponded with Hank Hayes about replacing that clunky
>reserve paddle with a good one, but I took his advice--he said the cost
>would be more than the benefit that I'd derive.  So, I'm still carrying the
>clunker.
>
>I got the Greenland paddle because I was having problems with a very sore
>right arm back in the late winter.  I didn't know whether the problem was
>the feathering (45 degrees), the size of the blades, or both.  I've
>concluded that a combination of overstressing my arm on a weekend in
>January, blade size, and feathering produced the problem.  Once my arm got
>sore, it just didn't get well again.  Now it's better.  Two weeks ago I
>paddled a couple of hours with my big paddle, a W. Wenatchee.  That
>afternoon my arm was a little sore, but it was fine the next day.
>
>I like my Greenland paddle but I'm not convinced that it's the only way to
>go.  An unfeathered 220 cm Werner Little Dipper would work as well or
>nearly as well.  When I get ready to replace the Greenlander, I'll rethink
>the whole issue.
>
>Bob
>
>--------------------------------------------------
>Robert C. Perkins, Ph.D.
>Associate Dean for Research and Planning
>Methodist College, Fayetteville, NC 28311
>910-630-7037     rperkins_at_methodist.edu
>
>
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