[Paddlewise] Paddle Talk

Paddlewisers,
 
With my quest for the ultimate kayak complete, my focus (or obsession) lately has changed to paddles. Below are some paddle topics I'd like to discuss:
 
Topic 1-Paddle Length: I noticed that Werner now has a paddle sizing chart at http://www.wernerpaddles.com/choose.html . What surprised me about it is that they are recommending a paddle length of 210 cm for average size sea kayakers who use a high angle stroke. I'm an average size guy (5', 10") who has been using a high angle stroke for the last several years, and I've been happy with a 215 cm Werner Shuna. Most other paddlers who I know and use a high angle stroke also prefer a length around 215 cm. I don't plan to change to a 210 cm, but I was curious why Werner is recommending it. A 210 cm seems a bit short, especially for any kind of distance.  On the other hand, if I was goofing around just practicing BCU 3 star strokes, a 210 cm would be nice. Are there many 210 cm users out there? I think I remember Rob Gibbert in Washington mentioning he uses a shorter paddle like that, and he's over 6 feet tall.
 
Topic 2-Indexing Angle: I have an Epic wing paddle that I bought back when I was goofing around with surfskis. It's a very nice paddle, and the feather angle is 60 degrees, which I was happy with, because that's the angle I use for most of my paddles with regular blades. Also, the Epic website ( http://www.epicpaddles.com/products/paddles/options/configuration.htm ) indicates that 60 degrees is one of their standard feather angles. However, after I bought it, I noticed that the shaft, which is one piece, has the indexing (or ovals) set at 75 degrees (another standard feather angle they have), while the blades are set at 60 degrees. So the indexing is off by 15 degrees on the left hand. It's not a big problem, but I feel it's a cheap shortcut.
 
Topic 3-Carbon Fiber Greenland Paddle: I recently bought a carbon fiber Greenland paddle from Superior Kayaks ( http://www.superiorkayaks.com/superiorkayaks008.htm ). I'm still a euro blade die-hard, but this paddle is absolutely beautiful, quite cool, and made very well. It paddles nice too. Even non-GP users should have this UFO looking thing in their collection. I'm surprised other paddle manufacturers haven't produced their own carbon fiber Greenland paddles. Any ideas why?
 
Topic 4-Lendal Paddlok System: I've got a Lendal whitewater paddle I use for ocean surfing, and it has the Paddlok system ( http://www.usa.lendal.com/ ). It is a great way to go for 4-piece paddles, but it is a bit of trouble to rinse off all the parts after use. Also, their isn't much foam flotation in the shaft, leaving lots of room for water to get in it and swish around. I was wondering how well the coil springs in the Paddlok system have been holding up in saltwater. Any corrosion?
 
Topic 5-Home Built Paddles: Building a better kayak than you can buy is easy, but so far, I haven't been able to build a better paddle than I can buy. I've made seven paddles over the years, and except for a wooden GP, they are all in the trash or hanging on walls at friends' houses as nautical decor. Are there any home built euro paddles out there that can compete with a Werner Shuna?
 
Duane Strosaker
Southern California
www.rollordrown.com
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