skimmer wrote: > >For me, the only issue of interest concerns > > whether or not one paddle or another allows the engine driving the > > boat at some constant speed for some fixed distance to do so with > > greater efficiency. This is exactly the right question to ask. > >That means doing less work with one paddle than > > with another to achieve that constant speed over the fixed distance. > > > Exactly right again. > > > Do you believe that such a difference, if it exists, will be > > detectable? > It is easily detectable. I have just done an experiment with the following paddles, all of which I have owned for many years and all of which I am used to: A 216 cm Descente, big blade paddle, a 230 cm narrow blade old style Werner Little Dipper, a 231 cm AT bent shaft paddle. I paddled the same distance with each at a hard but comfortable pace without looking at the watch until I finished. The distance was about 4 nautical miles and my time for each trial was 50 minutes, plus or minus 1 minute, or an average slightly over 4 kts. I did not try to match the times; it just turned out that way. Results? I was far more tired using the 216 Descente than either of the other two. It was not a subtle difference, but dramatic. The AT was also clearly more efficient than the Little Dipper, but the difference was not that dramatic. Someone else, with a different body type, different techniques would probably come to different conclusion. But there is no doubt in my mind that anyone trying a similar experiment would easily determine which paddle was most efficient for him. Jerry *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Sun, 22 Jun 2003 10:50:43 -0700, "Gerald Foodman" <klagjf_at_worldnet.att.net> said: > Someone else, with a different body type, different techniques would > probably come to different conclusion. But there is no doubt in my > mind that anyone trying a similar experiment would easily determine > which paddle was most efficient for him. It's not just matching the paddle to the paddler but the paddle to the boat. I've tried to use my wing paddle in my VCP pintail and it's almost painful. The blade is just too big, with the boat being too slow. I can use the wing paddle for hours on my surf ski, and have no desire to use it in the PinTail ever again. It's similar to trying to ride very slowly on a bicyle in a high gear. Sure it can be done, but why bother. Kirk -- Kirk Olsen kork4_at_cluemail.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Gerald Foodman wrote: > It is easily detectable. I have just done an experiment with the following > paddles, all of which I have owned for many years and all of which I am > used > to: A 216 cm Descente, big blade paddle, a 230 cm narrow blade old style > Werner Little Dipper, a 231 cm AT bent shaft paddle. I paddled the same > distance with each at a hard but comfortable pace without looking at the > watch until I finished. The distance was about 4 nautical miles and my > time > for each trial was 50 minutes, plus or minus 1 minute, or an average > slightly over 4 kts. I did not try to match the times; it just turned out > that way. Results? I was far more tired using the 216 Descente than > either > of the other two. It was not a subtle difference, but dramatic. The AT > was > also clearly more efficient than the Little Dipper, but the difference was > not that dramatic. Interesting. Subjective opinions based on this experience might be useful too. Do you think the difference (or magnitude of difference) was more due to paddle length, blade size, or what? (e.g. For canoe paddles, the shaft lenght is actully more important than overall paddle length, and probably affects efficiency as you describe.) > Someone else, with a different body type, different techniques would > probably come to different conclusion. But there is no doubt in my mind > that anyone trying a similar experiment would easily determine which paddle > was most efficient for him. Personal Qs re body type: hieght, weight, sleeve length, muscular vs. endurance type physique? (The efficient paddle question does fascinate me.) GaryJ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Subjective opinions based on this experience might be useful too. > Do you think the difference (or magnitude of difference) was more due to > paddle length, blade size, or what? I am an experimental type and do not find it useful to speculate too much on the reasons, though that may be fun. I would rather just try the different paddles at hand and control the test conditions to those I typically paddle, and see which one makes me less tired. Note that this may not be the one that "feels" best or is most enjoyable to use. > Personal Qs re body type: hieght, weight, sleeve length, muscular vs. > endurance type physique? I am 5'11", 170 lbs, in good condition. Three hours at 4 kts is a very good pace for me but I need a nap afterwards. I have raced but always ended up in the middle of the pack, and don't race anymore. Jerry *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Gerald Foodman wrote: > I am an experimental type and do not find it useful to speculate too much on > the reasons, though that may be fun. I would rather just try the different > paddles at hand and control the test conditions to those I typically paddle, > and see which one makes me less tired. Note that this may not be the one > that "feels" best or is most enjoyable to use. > I am 5'11", 170 lbs, in good condition. Three hours at 4 kts is a very good > pace for me but I need a nap afterwards. I have raced but always ended up > in the middle of the pack, and don't race anymore. So: experienced paddler, experienced in pace control (Or you would have gone nuts racing) average size and not a paddler whose style is affected by relying on muscle(or lack of) rather than technique, and no outsized arm or torso length to skew effectiveness of one paddle vs. another. To my analytical mind, that all suggests the observations from the original experiment may have good applicability to other people and situations. (I believe we have become too willing to seek the perfect toy for each use, whenin fact the difference between what we usually find comfortable and the "best" may be only a few percent.) GaryJ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:34 PDT