Reading through the new paddle choices discussion I became curious as to what people thought of a ridged Aleut paddle for touring rather than a GP. http://www.arctickayaks.com/Paddles/Aleut1-Hole/FNM228/ AleutPaddleViewDownBladeLewPlummerCaption.jpg I went native because of extreme joint pain in my elbows. I prefer it to a GP for touring because the ridge keep the blade self centered as you draw it through the water. This is assuming that you agree that the ridge is on the power face. A friendly discussion with someone more knowledgeable enlightened me to the gently simmering controversy. Not nearly as bad as rudder vs skeg but its there. I would very much agree with Jim Tibensky that a loose grip can be a friendly grip while touring and the self centering ability of an Aleut paddle seems to allow this than does a GP. Additionally this self centering ability seems to require less attention to technique as you put the miles under your kayak than a GP. Perception? Perhaps. I am not going to say with certainty that an Aleut is better for touring than a GP but I might suggest it under cover of night with no witnesses. I toured the Okeefenokee with an Aleut for a week and it allowed me to really move effortlessly and with the least amount of noise of any paddle I have ever tried. It really approached silent as you made your way through the twisty waters bordered by hummocks. That made for some great bird sneaking and watching. Rolling is peachy with an Aleut but sculling is not quite as good as with a GP. The difference might be like a really smooth custom gear shifter vs a stock shifter. Bracing, both high and low, is easier for me with an Aleut than a GP but easiest with a Euro. That big fat blade really helps you stay upright nicely but it tears up my joints horribly. Thoughts? Jim 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/ ***************************************************************************
[Please remove all old content that is not pertinent to your reply including old headers and footers. It's list policy.... this post was modified to meet policy] Hi All- I have been using an Aleut paddle for the last two years, day trips and touring. I do have shoulder and joint issues, but with either an aleut or Greenland paddle I find it much easier on the joints than a euro. As far as the aleuts go, I have made several, differing in overall length and blade lengths. The longer ones give me more power, but a bit more strain on the shoulders, whereas the shortest is a lot easier but I need to really up my cadence to go as fast. It's all so subjective, maybe the best is to make one and try it out. If you paddle baidarkas, they just seem to go together. Rolling and sculling and bracing works well with either. I usually keep a full length Greenland paddle as my spare too. Enjoy- jack gilman > From: Jim Farrelly > Subject: paddle for touring > > Reading through the new paddle choices discussion I > became curious as > to what people thought of a ridged Aleut paddle for > touring rather > than a GP. > > http://www.arctickayaks.com/Paddles/Aleut1-Hole/FNM228/ > > AleutPaddleViewDownBladeLewPlummerCaption.jpg *************************************************************************** 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 - 16:33:47 PDT