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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Duane, > 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. I'm suprised that you seem that suprised by werners recomendation. 210 vs. 215, is slightly less than an inch off each side. To me that seems a pretty small distinction. While I'm not doubting that someone VERY tuned into their paddle might be able to feel that distinction, I would wager that 95% of paddlers, or more, would ahve trouble feeling the difference of 5 cm in a paddle. That small a difference seems to me to be well into the presonal preference range, and I would think your experience would basically validate Werners recomendation. > > Topic 3-Carbon Fiber Greenland Paddle: I recently bought a carbon fiber > Greenland paddle from Superior Kayaks ( > http://www.superiorkayaks.com/superiorkayaks008.htm ) You got pictures of that? I'd like to see it, but I couldn't find it online. Have you checked out Bending branches system for adjusting both feather and length? Seems like it could be just the setup for figuring out what works best for an individual. Geoff ===== _______________ "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we," George W. Bush 8-5-04 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Geoff, For a photo of the CF GP try: http://www.superiorkayaks.com/superiorkayaks009.htm I haven't seen the Bending Branches adjustable system, but I've looked at Epic's and liked it. However, I'm pretty happy with a 215cm at 60 degrees, so I'm not in the market for adjustable systems. I wish Werner would go back to their old ferrule system. Their new, adjustable for feather system, jammed once while I was on a trip. Duane Geoff Jennings <geoff_at_texaskilonewton.com> wrote: > Topic 3-Carbon Fiber Greenland Paddle: I recently bought a carbon fiber > Greenland paddle from Superior Kayaks ( > http://www.superiorkayaks.com/superiorkayaks008.htm ) You got pictures of that? I'd like to see it, but I couldn't find it online. Have you checked out Bending branches system for adjusting both feather and length? Seems like it could be just the setup for figuring out what works best for an individual. Geoff *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 2/18/2005 8:28:08 PM Pacific Standard Time, strosaker_at_yahoo.com writes: ((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.)) I looked at the Werner site and found it interesting that someone 5' 5" to 6'2" would likely use a similar paddle length, given the same boat width. Equally interesting, my wife and I use the same paddle and length, a 210cm Lendal Kinetic. She is more comfortable than ever with her 210cm switching down from a 215cm Kaui. She switched from the Kaui as the old style ferule was wearing down and the joint needed beefing up. We needed another 4 piece paddle so we went with the Lendal Kinetic as they make the best 4 piece systems, IMNSHO. I personally like the 210cm length, having come down from a 215cm. I do notice the difference, though it is subtle. The Kinetic blade links strokes really well and the shaft length seems to be right on the money. Werner suggests if you have a high angle stroke, a boat width less than 22", are 6'2" or more, a 205cm may be appropriate. I doubt I would go there, though, even though I fit into all three criteria. One conventional theory holds that you should be able to curl your fingers over the blade if standing next to your upright paddle. I'm glad that paddle makers are enabling their users with better info these days. I started with a 240 and went to a 230. Then, I took a "radical" step and...oooooh...bought a 220cm. By then 215's were passe' and I still like it, almost as much as my 210cm. However, I reserve the right to change my mind on the 210cm as I have only about a hundred miles on it. So far I find it to be about right. ((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?)) Greenland paddles do not sell themselves, they have to be sold to someone that is open minded. Most people do not believe that a stick can propel them forward very well. In fact it can quite well, but most instructors, paddle shop owners, etc., also prefer EP's. I was interested in them which is why I bought one and made a bunch more. I am more on the EP side of the fence than the GP side, but I really like them both and can use either Ok, I guess. Enjoying Sea, WW and Surf paddling I prefer the EP as my instincts need no memory. The Superior GP is really nice. I borrowed Greg Stamers for a few minutes one day and found it noisier than my wood ones. It can almost be used as a hydrophone! He broke his on Lake Michigan, I believe. You may want to email him on the other forum for better details. ((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?)) I've had Lendals for the past 14 months and take very little care of them. I might wash them every 2 times I go out but that is it. I just put the hose into the tube for a few seconds, splash a bit on the blade and they are good to go. I rarely break them down into 4's and wash them as little water gets into them. Surfing seems to get a bit of water into them but it was about an eyedroppers worth from my last outing. I don't know about the other joint lock systems on the market, but Lendals can be field replaced. If you bust a shaft section or blade that component can be replaced. I broke a shaft section doing something stupid and it only cost me 57 dollars to make new again. When I broke my Aquabound paddle I had to buy a new one. My Werner 4 piece gets a bit more water in it, however, they have improved that secondary joint since I bought mine. My Molokai is several years old and is too tough to die. Their paddles are so good I replaced my Aquabound WW paddle with a Werner Powerhouse. Little or any at all of the above is scientific, just one hack's opinion, Rob G *************************************************************************** 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. 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On 20 Feb 2005 at 19:17, Rcgibbert_at_aol.com wrote: > One conventional theory holds that you should be able to curl your > fingers over the blade if standing next to your upright paddle. As long as paddle blades differ in size, I don't see any logic in basing paddle size on overall length. They should be sized on shaft length (well, EPs. the GPs are sized initially on loom length, but you have to have enough blade to get to the water.) Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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