Re: [Paddlewise] Advantages of the high aspect ratio paddle?

   Ya know, there are a lot of different styles of boats available today each 
designed with it's own purpose and characteristics. A K-1 would be pretty 
lousy for surfing. A surf kayak would be pretty lousy for touring. Even among 
the "touring" kayaks there are any number of different designs and styles 
available to fit the individuals needs and desires. Is there one single kayak 
design out there that surpasses all the others for efficiency? I sincerely 
doubt it. especially since each one of us probably has our own definition of 
what efficiency in a kayak is.
  When you get right down to it, a kayak is not the "most efficient" choice 
for doing much of anything. I could carry a lot more gear more easily in a 
power boat. I could go a whole lot faster as well. But that's not really the 
point of this sport is it? As several other people have pointed out, we're 
here to have fun. And I'll bet each one of us has his or her own definition 
of what fun is as well. If my idea of fun is paddling my own homebuilt skin 
on frame boat and propelling it with a hand carved Inuit style paddle, so be 
it. If I want the fastest kevlar touring boat available which I can push 
really fast with a carbon fiber wing paddle, well that's fine too. Neither 
one is right or wrong. They're just different styles.
  And so it is in kayak paddles as well. I have no doubt that some paddle 
designs are superior to others in performing certain tasks. If all you are 
interested in is pushing your boat as fast as possible over a short course, 
then we can probably narrow the field as to what paddles would be the best 
suited to your needs. The same thing applies to long distance touring, or 
surfing or rolling or what have you. But if you are looking for one paddle 
that can do it all, then I think you are simply going to have to settle on 
some compromise. Just what and where that compromise is will be up to the 
individual.
  I enjoy experimenting with different kinds of equipment. And while much of 
these techie discussions about paddle and boat designs are a bit over my 
head, I still try to wade through them and understand what I can. I think 
it's fascinating, and I am in awe of the people who do seem to have a solid 
grasp of this stuff. I do hope you folks keep it coming. I figure the more I 
read about it, the better the chance that some of it will sink in. And while 
I think we really should try to be civil in our discussions, I particularly 
enjoy the debates from opposing sides. I think hearing both sides of any 
argument is really the best way to try to figure out just where the truth 
lies.
  Anyways, just my two cents.

Scott
So.Cal.

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