Re: [Paddlewise] Solid Paddle Floats, shafts breaking?

Happens all the time, except down under (they don't have paddlefloats).
Matt has even broken a shaft while forward paddling (don't ever get on
the wrong side of this big guy). I've broken 2 doing PF self rescues,
one on a reenter and roll, and a few surfing. One broke at the lake when
I slipped off the rear deck and something caught on the shaft (fixed
outrigger). The PF submerged to about 60 degrees, and the shaft couldn't
take it any longer. Snap.

DL
------------

Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 17:10:29 -0400
From: "P.or.N. K." <peak_at_gis.net>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Solid Paddle Floats, shafts breaking?

Dear Shawn,

  <snip>
>If you're putting that much downward pressure on your paddlefloat,
>you're probably going to start breaking paddles.
>
>Shawn
<snip>

        I paddle a Lightning standard shaft.  (Yeah, I am enough of a
nerd to use ultralite blades). What to you think the breaking
strength of that paddle is?  How much buoyancy do you think a
Northwater paddle float has?  I am sure it is less than 25 pounds.
How much force does a paddler put on a shaft when they do a
full-power forward stroke or an extended or slap brace?  (Much less
an over the paddle assisted rescue). Has anyone on this list ever
heard of anyone breaking a shaft of a decent paddle, even an
ultralight shaft, in a paddle float rescue?  Seems to me like even an
object with 50 bounds buoyancy would just go down before even my
beautiful old Malone would break.  Given my 225 lb. carcass I do
double up the paddles for an over the paddles rescue, and favor
single piece shafts.  The simpler the equipment, the less things
there are to break.   :-)

        I do like your kayak building pages.  Very generous and
informative.  Perhaps you'll  help me  out if I have the good fortune
to build a clc boat.  I'm sure I could use it!

All the Best,

Peter K




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