Re: [Paddlewise] Wing paddle and hull speed was (Re: Who Took Shaun White Sea Kayaking?)

On Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 7:41 PM, Kirk Olsen <kork4_at_cluemail.com> wrote:

>
>
> How is the Mariner in shallow water?  My Huki S1X is pretty good in
> shallow water,
> My Fenn Mako is horrible in water that's less than about 10 feet deep.
> They have
> comparable dimensions, the flatter bottomed Huki goes better in
> shallows.
>

When I say the interior of the grass islands are shallow I mean six to eight
inches deep! This makes paddling difficult even with very low angle strokes.
No kayak I know of likes water this shallow except maybe my big Nimbus
Telkwa with just me in it. Even so it's difficult to tell if it's the boat
going slow or the paddles hitting the mud. On busy summer weekends these
little lagoons are ideal for hiding out from jet skis and waveboard boaters.

 I've got a paddle assortment similar to yours.  An Epic Wing, a
> Lightning ultra light
> with Struer blades, and a greenland stick.
>

My favorite paddle is that Lightning ultra-light. It's only drawback is that
it's single piece but I am pretty sure I can change that. :P    Too bad the
outfit that took over Lightning didn't continue making his paddles because I
think they are incredible. But I don't think they are for everyone. Like the
wings, for that matter.

The blades are offset from the shaft. They all rotate in a loose grip.
> If you keep one blade
> firmly planted most of the time it's less likely to rotate.  Which does
> imply you spend the whole time
> in propulsion mode and not paddling leisurely.
>

Yes, this "unbalance" is only noticeable when you are just holding the
paddle; once you are actually out paddling the wing feels "right".
Interestingly enough my wing has a tendency to find its own stroke. If you
allow it to let it go where it wants to go then you will have a pretty
reasonable wing stroke.

For playing around in a maneuverable rollable boat I wouldn't think of
> using the wing.  Definitely time for the greenland.


Well so far I prefer the Lightning; which actually comes pretty close to a
whitewater paddle in the way it performs with the F-1 (Coaster copy in SOF).
I have just not come to terms with my Greenland paddle.


> If you want to get from one place to another I
> definitely prefer the wing.
> The lightning feels positively sloppy in the water compared to a well
> planted wing blade/stroke.
>

I dunno If I'd go *that* far. I am pretty partial to that Lightning paddle.
But I do choose boats/paddles for the planned paddle. If I'm in currents
(like Deception Pass) it will be the F-1 and the Lightning. However when I
paddle around the Columbia River - where there is a 1 or 2 kt current - I
take the Mariner II and the wing because I know I'll have to paddle against
the current at some point in the trip.

As Melissa says, these sorts of things lead one towards a fleet.  :)


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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