The people I paddle with are all talking about getting the latest 4- piece paddle: take-apart shaft with replaceable blades. I can understand the use of a take-apart for an on-deck spare or if you have a tiny little car and can't carry a 1-piece, but 4-piece??? The other big thing in paddles these days is an adjustable ferrule that lets you change the length or feather. What is the appeal of these things? Do people really swap out blades all the time? Are they really changing the length and feather? I can understand if you are a new paddler and don't know what you like, but are these features really useful for an experienced paddler? I personally make my own paddles, but have always felt that a 1-piece will be lighter and stronger as well as being immune to jamming and loosening. But it is almost impossible to find a 1-piece paddle intended for sea kayaks these days. Stores don't stock them and catalogs don't list them. They are typically a special order item. I did special order a wing paddle recently. I got a 1-piece with heavier glass blades. It was much cheaper than the full carbon take- apart and only barely heavier. One-piece paddles are still easily available for whitewater. My first impression is that manufacturers and dealers are just trying to save oversized shipping charges, or maybe it is a way to giving the appearance of higher value to support higher retail prices. The replaceable blade system is probably a good way to sell more blades as people lose or break one and have to buy two to replace it. Why are people buying these things and why can't you find a good 1- piece any more? Nick Schade Guillemot Kayaks 824 Thompson St Glastonbury, CT 06033 USA Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847 http://www.guillemot-kayaks.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/ ***************************************************************************
Nick Schade said: The people I paddle with are all talking about getting the latest 4- piece paddle: take-apart shaft with replaceable blades. Why are people buying these things and why can't you find a good 1- piece any more? Nick, I only use 1 piece paddles for normal paddling. But when I ship my folder on a plane, a four piecer is nice. The shaft pieces pack into the roll of my sleeping pad, which a 2 piecer can't, having the blades attached and all. And a 2 piecer is good on the back deck as a spare, although I much prefer a single blade canoe paddle for myself. I love the Mitchell Sea Blade one piece. Heavy as it is it feels nice to me. I don't care much about the feather angle on my paddles - I can switch from Inuit paddle to 90 degree whitewater or sea kayak paddle to 70 degree sea kayak paddle to canoe paddle with never a missed beat. I wouldn't pay for the adjustable ferrule. But, just as an example of how some folks think: The great Danish sprint racer Erik Hansen had a bag full of paddles for racing. Each was feathered differently, from 90 degrees to almost zero. He used a paddle based on wind conditions. Tail wind = no feather. Head wind = 90 degrees. I wasn't sure what the in betweens were for. And, of course, there is the tech weenie that loves new stuff no matter what the value of it. I knew a number of whitewater paddlers who had to have the newest design of paddle and boat as soon as they came out. But they couldn't use either boat or paddle to the fullest capabilities because they spent money on stuff instead of time on technique. I love a good jeremiad now and then. Keep up the good work! Jim Tibensky *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> The people I paddle with are all talking about getting the latest 4- > piece paddle: take-apart shaft with replaceable blades. I can > understand the use of a take-apart for an on-deck spare or if you > have a tiny little car and can't carry a 1-piece, but 4-piece??? > > The other big thing in paddles these days is an adjustable ferrule > that lets you change the length or feather. > > What is the appeal of these things? Do people really swap out blades > all the time? Are they really changing the length and feather? I can > understand if you are a new paddler and don't know what you like, but > are these features really useful for an experienced paddler? > > I personally make my own paddles, but have always felt that a 1-piece > will be lighter and stronger as well as being immune to jamming and > loosening. But it is almost impossible to find a 1-piece paddle > intended for sea kayaks these days. Stores don't stock them and > catalogs don't list them. They are typically a special order item. I > did special order a wing paddle recently. I got a 1-piece with > heavier glass blades. It was much cheaper than the full carbon take- > apart and only barely heavier. One-piece paddles are still easily > available for whitewater. > > My first impression is that manufacturers and dealers are just trying > to save oversized shipping charges, or maybe it is a way to giving > the appearance of higher value to support higher retail prices. The > replaceable blade system is probably a good way to sell more blades > as people lose or break one and have to buy two to replace it. > > Why are people buying these things and why can't you find a good 1- > piece any more? > > > Nick Schade > I was looking at one of the Lendel 4-piece paddles a while back. All broken down, it fit into a rolled bag that looked more like what you'd carry a pool cue in. Very slick! As I'm currently planning for an extended trip to New Zealand for some paddling this coming winter, I was interested in the idea of more conveniently bringing my own paddle. The length adjustment is something I've thought about. Shorter for when I'm powering along with a more vertical stroke; longer for when I'm just sliding along, looking for wildlife, using a more horizontal stroke. On the other hand, I've been getting along relatively well with the single paddle that I use now, so... Feathered paddles seem to bother my wrist, mainly my right one (I'm right-handed), so I go unfeathered all the time. I've only tried a 90 and a 60-degree feather, so perhaps one of the other angles might be a compromise I could live with. I don't know that I'd pay extra just to be able to try it out though. I'm a long way from needing different blades. Or at least from _knowing_ that I need different blades. Other than the rare short- distance race to beat someone back to the dock, or a sprint for exercise, my paddling is much the same from day to day. I don't know what I'd do with different blades, to tell the truth. But then, I don't know what I'd do with a cell phone or a GPS either. Traces of Luddite blood run through my veins, obviously. -- Darryl *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi, I have had a lendal for a couple years now and have had great luck with it. The fact that you can use their key-lock to tighten the shaft gives you pretty solid feel much like a one piece. (just don't lose the key) Mine are carbon fibre. I thought when I bought it that there would be an advantage in being able to swap out my beat up blades over time without buying a new paddle. But they seem to be holding out pretty well against my abuse and the cost savings is not really all that much. I do like being able to break them down though. It was sure convenient when we flew out to California last year. I couldn't take my boat, but at least I had my own paddle. (yes. . It is a security blanket thing. . .) Derrick KayakWisconsin.net > The people I paddle with are all talking about getting the latest 4- > piece paddle: take-apart shaft with replaceable blades... *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Nick, A one piece paddle is a relic! Right up there with my grandpappy's muzzleloader over the mantle. ; ) Actually, I agree with you that a one piece is a very strong paddle and once a blade design is found that suits ones primary uses, it will arguably last longer than a take apart. I thought the Lendal crank was interesting so I bought it. I bought the Lendal 4 piece with nylon carbon blades and a full 5 cm shorter than my other EP's. I wanted a good rock garden and sea boat surfing paddle and chose the Nordkapp blades. A 4 piece paddle such as Lendal's are well made. I need a 4 piece because I fly with paddles at least twice a year. The joint you use an allen wrench on is replaceable. I had an Aquabound 4 piece WW paddle that sat under my WW boats float bags as a spare. Before I destroyed it, it's joints were loosening up and I was not all that high on it after a while. A 2 piece paddle is subject to greater potential damage than a 4 piece in the airline's hands. I do not want to start a trip with a hastily purchased aluminum Carlysle on my deck and my spare as a primary. I also do not want to deal with all the packaging at my destination that protects my equipment. Aside from Lendal's nice blade designs, their interchangability is key. Werner's blades are just as good, but AFAIK not interchangeable. My second crank purchase was a 210cm (I know, I know, a slave to fashion) with the kinetic blades. I do switch them around a bit. I like the Nordkapp blades for their bite and I like the 210cm length. I switched things around and it was my primary for a trip I took a couple months ago where we launched and landed in surf every day. I normally use the kinetic blade with the 210 length, otherwise. Last year I actually broke a tube doing something oafish and when I got home it was a $57 replacement section and not another broken paddle going up on the wall. I prefer a 210 now to a 215 so length and feather variability don't matter so much to me. However, my buddy bought that feature, for an extra $25 bucks, and the 5 cm variability was better for him when the kayak he was in was 3.5 inches wider and had more freeboard than his home boat. There are 2 issues with the Lendal. You have to shoot freshwater on the joint to keep it clean. That's not as maintenance free as a 1 piece. The second issue is, *where'd I put that damn key*. I have it lashed permanently in a pfd pocket, now. I'm actually surprised you are not making a woodstrip version of your own wing blade design. When you turn one of your boats into a sectional and paddle someplace you've always wanted to paddle you may find it easier to leave the one piece behind and bring along a 4 piece. Cheers, Rob G In a message dated 5/19/2005 5:58:45 AM Pacific Standard Time, nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com writes: The people I paddle with are all talking about getting the latest 4- piece paddle: take-apart shaft with replaceable blades. I can understand the use of a take-apart for an on-deck spare or if you have a tiny little car and can't carry a 1-piece, but 4-piece??? The other big thing in paddles these days is an adjustable ferrule that lets you change the length or feather. What is the appeal of these things? Do people really swap out blades all the time? Are they really changing the length and feather? I can understand if you are a new paddler and don't know what you like, but are these features really useful for an experienced paddler? I personally make my own paddles, but have always felt that a 1-piece will be lighter and stronger as well as being immune to jamming and loosening. But it is almost impossible to find a 1-piece paddle intended for sea kayaks these days. Stores don't stock them and catalogs don't list them. They are typically a special order item. I did special order a wing paddle recently. I got a 1-piece with heavier glass blades. It was much cheaper than the full carbon take- apart and only barely heavier. One-piece paddles are still easily available for whitewater. My first impression is that manufacturers and dealers are just trying to save oversized shipping charges, or maybe it is a way to giving the appearance of higher value to support higher retail prices. The replaceable blade system is probably a good way to sell more blades as people lose or break one and have to buy two to replace it. Why are people buying these things and why can't you find a good 1- piece any more? *************************************************************************** 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 19 May 2005 at 8:57, Nick Schade wrote: > What is the appeal of these things? Do people really swap out blades > all the time? Are they really changing the length and feather? I can > understand if you are a new paddler and don't know what you like, but > are these features really useful for an experienced paddler? The four piece is good for a spare paddle, since it can be stored inside compactly - especially for WW paddlers. I know of one person that actually does have two sets of blades for their Lendal 4 piece. Having both big blades and small blades for a long trip is a good thing. I have a variable feather, variable length paddle. I do use two different feather angles depending on conditions. I couldn't have it pre-drilled for those positions, since the holes would touch. I originally thought that the variable length would be useful with two different width boats, but ended up selling the wider kayak, so I only use one length. It is useful when I loan it, since I can make it longer. However, it is no longer my main paddle - that one is a one piece, unfeathered Greenland-style paddle. 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/ ***************************************************************************
How about a 5-piece paddle? I've a Werner with a 10 cm middle section so that I can go from 215 for the relatively narrow CD Squamish to 225 for the Feathercraft Java. And it breaks down for travelling. No need for 2 paddles! Eric Winslow Wash DC Yahoo! Mail Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour: http://tour.mail.yahoo.com/mailtour.html *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Eric M. Winslow wrote: >How about a 5-piece paddle? > > Lego should design a paddle out of, like, a few hundred blocks. You could make it into a Euro paddle or Greenland paddle depending on mood. And the colors! Think of the colors! How to make it stay together is another issue. Jim (waiting for the weekend) et al *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 05:13 PM 5/20/2005 -0400, Jim Farrelly wrote: >Eric M. Winslow wrote: > > >How about a 5-piece paddle? > > > > >Lego should design a paddle out of, like, a few hundred blocks. You >could make it into a Euro paddle or Greenland paddle depending on mood. >And the colors! Think of the colors! How to make it stay together is >another issue. With Canadian Naval Duct Tape, of course. John Fereira jaf30_at_cornell.edu Ithaca, NY *************************************************************************** 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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