paddles

[Seth]

so many companys out there, all claiming that their products are the best.. and as ive not had much luck finding a good (busy but friendly) kayak forum, im a bit stuck for choices..

any particular brands i should be checking out??? ive got a 14 foot sit on top double that i use for my solo diving (the double was cheap, a wilderness systems paradise that i payed $100 US, and it floats very well and is balanced decently for solo kayaking) and a 16 foot sit in that i bought last week (a 1996 wilderness systems seacret that the guy only used once and sold to me for $220 :) )

funny thing is, i'll probably spend more for the paddle than ive spent on both yaks.. weird how that works :lol:

[Pirate Dave]

its worth it to invest in a carbon fiber paddle as they are very light and wont get you as tired as a metal one would

[Robbert]

I got a Wagner Carbon Fiber paddle - got it as part of the used Kayak package I got.

I had heard a lot of the Kayak guys say repeatedly invest in a good paddle. I'll admit I like it a lot! Went out today and rented a Kayak for my kid and we switched paddles for a while - you really do notice the weight difference after a while. I think the Fiberglass ones are pretty light too. Check out CraigsList.com as every once in while you will see a deal on paddles.

- Robbert

[fishyak]

i got a fiberglass paddle and its good enough! dont bother with the carbon fiber unless you are paddling for 3+ hr straight. i got mine from bending branches for about 130 and it breaks down into 2 pieces, can be feathered or not, and has an inscribed tape measure out to 40".

-Gabe

[dr.ed]

i admit i'm a paddle snob/geek; HOWever, a good/great paddle makes a WORLD of difference!!!:thumps:

My coice for a high end is

http://www.atpaddle.com/TouringProducts/XceptionSLCarbonOS.html

AT has lesser paddles; i currently use an AT for whitewater also.

Spend the money you saved on kayaks on your paddle; You will Not regret it; You Deserve it!

[Seth]

that there is a very nice paddle, hmn.. i plan to do some real distance type stuff (round the island for example) so i definately need something that will be comfortable for 90-100 miles.

[bluesquids]

and a 16 foot sit in that i bought last week (a 1996 wilderness systems seacret that the guy only used once and sold to me for $220
Shit, if you have a touring yak and plan on 100 mile trips...get the carbon. If you didn't it would be like lifting an extra 2lbs a million times.

I kinda wish I got my carbon earlier, but I find myself using my plastic one alot too for short trips and times where i don't want to risk damaging the carbon.

If you're going to do those long touring trips, you should bring an extra paddle along anyways.

Look for used deals, I put up a WTB carbon paddle ad on the kayak fishing sites for my buddy and had one that night for $75.

Also, REI has a 2x a year 25% off sale on any single item.

[cmburch]

A short 14' and wide sit-on-top may not be the best for long distance paddling. A long narrower kayak made for distance with a rudder, I can see purchasing a good paddle for. I just use a plastic/aluminum from REI about $40 and I am not worried about beating it against rocks and in surf. I have paddled Tangle Lakes, Mono Lake, Monterey Bay, Carmel, Elkhorn Slough, Mendocino and Sonoma coasts. I also have a nice wooden paddle that I epoxied/fiberglassed the tips on.

I have never used a carbon fiber paddle, but I would make another wood/epoxy/fiberglass first. http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boatgear/paddles/

[Seth]

a proper distance yak is also super expensive, especially after including shipping down here, money better spent on more diving gear ;) ive done some 5 mile trips with the sit in, and its a lot of fun, its got a LOT of primary stability, more than i expected, all in all its a really good little boat for its price. (it also has a rudder, but even without using it, i find that it tracks decently when the wind isnt up and blowing)

the sit on top will get rigged up this summer as a solo diving platform, trying to get another 2nd hand one from the same guy, to rig as a fishing platform... but back to paddles.

i used a fiberglass one, and the paddle fluttered a bit whenever i tried to power up the stroke too fast, is this a normal experience or was the paddle just not properly designed?
making a wood one.. now there is an interesting idea :) what type of wood? how heavy did it end up being?

[kjflyfish]

Seth, if you haven't found them yet, you need to check out the now-defunct Lightning Paddles. They are incredible - I've had two, which unfortunately ended up selling along with the rest of my kayak gear. Anyway, try and get in touch with them and see if there are any left over. I bought my last one for $100 and it was crazy good.

One thing about the fluttering - Lighting paddles have a perfectly flat face (still curved) with sharp blade edges, which makes the paddle rock solid in the water.

It appears that they have been taken over by Robson, some Norwegian company.

Try Hank Hayes, one of the original Lightning guys - hhayes@paddles.com

[dr.ed]

a but back to paddles.

i used a fiberglass one, and the paddle fluttered a bit whenever i tried to power up the stroke too fast, is this a normal experience or was the paddle just not properly designed?
making a wood one.. now there is an interesting idea :) what type of wood? how heavy did it end up being?


Paddle flutter is from improper blade design.
Before i went to carbon i used wood; even made several. i love wood but carbon is better.

A good wood paddle is close in weight to carbon; much lighter than fiberglass and "cheepies". You can make them super light; BUT they are mure fragle. DUH!

As to wood types: the classic is ash and sitka spruce laminates. Ash for strength sitka for weight. Some whitewater paddle makers are using sasafrasse in place of sitka. Some in place of ash and clear white pine.
The sasafrasse is light, strong, and has AMAZING flex! i've used it some and like it.

It takes me many hours(30-34) to make a wood paddle. i guess experienced craftspersond do it quicker.