Elaine Harmon wrote: > > e (who is always looking for ways to do things cheap) > > Oh, this news may help someone: I had bought a Werner graphite paddle in > 210 cm. length, thinking that's what I'd need for the Brit boats. Now, > after reading Ralph's wonderful (!) book on foldables, I'm starting to > think K1 or something. But what of the short paddle? Well, I just spoke > with the company. Turns out they make extensions of 20 or 30 cm.; you just > send the paddle and they fit it for you, $45 for the 20 cm. one, plus > shipping. Nice to know if you paddle different boats! e I have been chastized (mildly) regarding paddle length by several gurus who I respect. As a result I have rethought some of my length recommendations that appeared in the book. Ken Fink swears you could paddle a double Klepper using a 220 cm or less paddle rather than the 250 cm or so I recommended. I know that Larry Edwards of Bairdarka Boats in Sitka (a good source for folding kayaks and related gear, albeit he is in the process of selling the business) also recommends shortish paddle lengths (he suggests you go for a shorter paddle and if it doesn't work out, send it back and go up 5 cms). So my suggestion were you to go with a Feathercraft K-1 or the K-Light (both in the 25 inch beam range), is to see if your 210 cm paddle will work. I know a 215 to 220 cm works on them. The 210 might do and would give you the advantage of being able to sustain a faster cadence and to bring the blade closer to the boat, which should help tracking. My only recommendtion is that you think about putting some reflector tape on the non-power face side of the Werner blades. Unless Werner has changed the back side of its blade are black and it would be worth brightening them up a bit for visibility sake. Regarding the exclamation point in referring to my book is it that you are surprised that it is "wonderful" or just exclaiming :-) ? ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Aug 10 1999 - 11:40:27 PDT
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