First, Fred and Dave, thank you both for your advice and experience on the "semi-dry" top issue. When I buy, I'll go for latex gasketing on a true dry top. Now here's another question I've been asking. I've heard from several sources that shorter sea kayak paddles allow more efficient propulsion, though they can also be more of a strain. I think I see how a short paddle and higher stroke angle is more efficient than a longer paddle and lower angle to the water. But I'm wondering if there's any other advantage, besides more vertical strokes, to using a shorter paddle. I own a wide-blade paddle that's 220 cm. But with my high paddling angle (I'm used to canoes), I've found it equally possible to paddle with a 210 or 208 cm. Only, with a shorter paddle, I can't reach as far forward, so I have a slightly shorter stroke length. Is there any reason to expect I'd benefit from using a shorter paddle, given that, in my kayak my present stroke pattern can accommodate one? Does anyone have knowledge or thoughts, or know a web page I should look at? P.S. I paddle an old Seda Vagabond, from before they added a keel line. It's beautifully responsive to weight shifts and stroke nuances--great for maneuvering at speed or for skimming across light chop--but it only tracks straight if I use a steep angled paddling style. A low paddling angle has a 'sweep stroke' effect. Since I'm used to a high angle style anyway, my boat and I are a good match. Thornton (sometimes SamT) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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