Re: [Paddlewise] Epic Wayfarer and Lightning Standard Touring

In trying to catch up on some e-mail I found:

Bob Vilter wrote:
>I've narrowed my choice of paddles to the Epic Wayfarer (probably carbon with 
>length-lock) and the Lightning Standard Tour (probably the ultralight).
>

Bob, I have both of these paddles and can offer some comparisons.

>
>1.  The Wayfarer blade face had a dihedral shape whereas the Lightning blade 
>face is flat.  In my experience, a dihedral face helps prevent "fluttering" 
>of the blade.  This would seem to make the Wayfarer more attractive, but I 
>would like to hear some input on whether this is a real or an imagined 
>problem with the Lightning.
>

I have not experienced much fluttering at all with the Ultralite Lightning,
but felt quite a lot with the Wayfarer the first couple of hours I used it.
 Best I can figure is that the action of thes two paddles do seem to vary
with paddling angle (see below on question 3).

>2.  I don't want a paddle blade that is too wide (or perhaps more accurately, 
>has a large surface area).  An example of a paddle blade which I find too 
>"big" for my taste is the Werner San Juan, which has a length of 22" and a 
>width of 6 3/4".  By comparison, the Wayfarer (length 18.7" and width 7.1") 
>and the Lightning (length 16.5" and width 7.25") also seem to be on the "big 
>side".  I would like to hear your views on whether you thing the Wayfarer and 
>the Lightning paddle like "big" bladed paddles.
>

Between my Wayfarer and my Lightning, the Wayfarer feels more like a big
bladed paddle, although not radically so, like the Eddyline Swift already
mentioned on the list.  However, the dimensions you've stated are for the
Lightning Standard Tour blade, 95 square inches and that's what I have.
The other two Lightning blade styles are 100 and 106 square inches, so  the
Wayfarer's 105 square inches might feel more like the Lightning Skimmer
blade as far as 'bigness". http://www.paddles.com/catalog/sea.html 
Apples to apples.. The Wayfarer is definitely not a small-area blade. 
   I can maintain a significantly higher paddling cadence with the
one-piece Lightning Ultralite, Standard Tour.  Sometimes that's exactly
what I want.  Other times I want more bite or "purchase" with each stroke,
for example in rough water near rocks, or in surf.   The Wayfarer has that.
 In the Surf model, the Wayfarer also seems to be a more durable paddle,
with a little sacrifice of weight.

>3.  I tend to use a low-angle paddle style as opposed to a high-angle style.  
>Is this a relevant factor when selecting between these two paddles?
>

	Initially, this is a very notable point with the Wayfarer, it does seem to
paddle best at higher angles.  In fact the dealer told me the initial
feeling of flutter would disappear with a high paddling angle.  That seemed
to prove true.  However I have since been able to paddle with it at lower
angles with excellent control and no noticable flutter.  Somehow I have
adapted my handling and strokes to using it, but truthfully I don't know
exactly what adjustments I have made.  

>I would be interested to hear any commentary on the Wayfarer's length-lock 
>system (how well does it work, will it wear out etc.).  Any other paddle 
>recommendations would also be appreciated.
>

	The length-lock system has worked well for me for the past 4 months (I
paddle year-round).  Epic's website has some care tips that are
well-advised to keep the adjustment smooth and easy.
http://www.epicpaddles.com/tips.htm  Again, there's a bit of extra weight,
and some extra $$ involved.
	If it helps anybody, here's how I rationalized spending all that money for
the Wayfarer length-lock.   I told myself, hey, I'm  getting multiple
paddles in one, so usable with everything from my folding kayak's 27-inch
beam to my much narrower touring kayak at 20 inch beam.  Don't know if this
will work to convince a spouse!

	Best advice was someone's "Paddle with each of them before you buy."  I
would say more than once, and in more than one type of condition.  Once you
get a paddle like these you won't want to go back!

	Cheers to all,
		John

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