Canoe Paddle Recommendations?

[Jaytee]

Rec canoeing, mostly Class I-II rivers and lakes. Not on a tight budget but not looking to be wasteful. Don't really even know what to look for.

Also, some tips on picking length would be most welcome!

[Sunray and Eve]

A 60" paddle is probably what you'll be looking for, as far as length goes. We spent $20 per paddle at Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca, brand new.

Shop around. I've seen the 60" model of Caviness Paddles at several stores, even our local hardware store, for around 20 bucks. They've been great for our use:
http://www.cavinesspaddles.com/ProductP ... eries.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GutIt]

Hey Jay!

For as long as I can remember, here is the Rule of Thumb for rec paddles. Put the stick on the floor by your side alongside your leg. It should come up under your arm with you comfortably able to lower your arm without it digging into your arm pit. I am a 56” by this Theory. Good starting point!

But, due to my particular paddling style, I like a little shorter stick. Easier and faster to “offside” it if I think I need to and make quicker “onside” strokes. You really don’t need to totally sink your blade way up to the shaft to have an efficient stroke. The down side of that is depending on the boat I am in I can’t reach my partner to whack him/her in the head without getting up in the boat and I can’t pass him/her a frosty cold one on it without doing the same!

Most of your better sticks are already “T” grip. A must for me. That way when I am chicken-choking it my hand doesn’t slide off the end! And if you are actually a good boater it is the best grip and with good index.

Brands? The usual good stuff and material will make the price difference. However much you want to shell out. For the Rivers we run I am absolutely fine with your standard issue Mohawk-type aluminum/plastic like you see everywhere. “T” grip. I wish I had a sweet carbon fiber awesome stick, but just haven’t shelled out the $$ for it yet. Can’t use it all the time anyway. Still have to have the grinder to shovel down the shallows and use it to shovel dirt to put out the errant campfire that I see left unattended on the gravel bar (which by the way, is way illegal!).

My Lovely & Charming had a couple of matched set wood sticks custom built for us one year as a surprise. Measured them as mentioned and shortened them down to suit. Now I realize that with the space-age materials available today, wood seems to be a thing of the past. But for me, there is nothing like the feel, the flex, the warmth, and the beauty of a well made wooden stick. You want to go a little further and have authenticity? Do a Beaver-tail.

Good in deep water, but I bust out the beaters for digging through the gravel!

[Clif]

I have an aqua bound that is nice. A bit lighter and curved (spooned) blade that pulls real nice. BUT like Gut man mentioned, I hesitate to sink it in the rocks to push off or thru gravel. My spare Mohawk sits ready for that job. Aqua bounds can be had $60ish.

I used a werner bandit that was real nice with an indexed (oval) shaft where your hand goes to know by feel where your blade is. It was again lighter still but 100ish

And there are more up from there. Depends what you wanna pay. If you are doing a crossover stroke often.. as in solo boat in real rapids, the better paddles make a difference by the end of the day. If you don't get to go as often as you want... like most of us...one of the cheaper guys will be fine. You can google canoe paddle reviews.

[Jaytee]

Thanks everyone... good pointers, esp. on the length issue (and on the beating the thing is likely to take).

I've been eyeing some of the Bending Branches paddles and they are like works of art without being too heavy. I was planning on going straight shaft unless someone can tell me why to buy a bent shaft paddle.

[GutIt]

Don’t see a lot of bent shafts around here.

The reason for them is because with a straight shaft, at the end of the stroke you are pulling water upward instead of “pushing” it back when you get to the point of the stroke where you are pulling the paddle out of the water. With a bent shaft, you are still “pushing” water instead of pulling it upward. Thus more efficient, less energy expended, and supposedly a faster ride. Also they are easier to swap sides of the boat with.

I would suggest trying one if you can before you commit. They do what they are advertised to do, but a lot of people really don’t like them too much and they are a little funny feeling until you have used one a little while. And I totally hate them for using a cross stroke, but they are pretty nice for your onside. Of course the people who do use them swear by them and don’t like to use anything else.

I have a bent shaft, but only because I backed over a straight shaft with my truck!

Not to worry, however, no frosty cold one’s were injured or spilled during that stunt!

[JB2012]

Next time you are paddling, try out others' paddles.

I have a couple Bending Branches---really nice, but not the greatest for white water (one is duct taped).

I love my Werner carbon fiber. It was worth the money.

I'm 6' or so, and use a 54" using saddle). I moved down from 56". Other guys (shorter) use a 60 ". My 54 has made a difference in control--yep--just two inches.

[Louiscov]

Bending Branches Expedition wood canoe paddle is da bomb!! Warmth and feel of wood, extra rock guard protection, mine has lasted years, including Nantahala trips, Mulberry, Piney, Buffalo, Caddo, etc. A beauty to look at and to paddle with!! Unbelievable feel for what the water's doing.

http://www.bendingbranches.com/straight ... ition.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Once you go wood you'll know you should!!

[Randy Dodson]

http://www.echopaddles.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


nuff said.

[Eric Esche]

Wow! those are pretty sticks. Would that I had $359 for the full carbon Fusion with the larger blade!

That's more than each of my last 3 boats have cost.......But it is a beautiful paddle.

The most I have spent (so far) on a single blade is $90 for a used 15 ounce Wenonah carbon fiber race stick, and for a New World wood stick in 1977, by Steve Scarbourough and Brandy Leeson. The New World stick does have a dynel sock around the shaft and a stainess steel tip and my name imprinted under the fiberglass sheath on the blade.

And which one do I use the most? The old Harmony fiberglass stick, just like Painter Bob has, except mine does not have the slick paint job that Painter Bob put on his. Will have to see about getting him to do mine in irridescent Orange or Red someday.

Why is it when I like a paddle company, they go out of business or get bought out by a company who ceases producing what was a better stick.
New World
Dagger
Harmony
Perception
Illiad
Whetstone
Voyageur
Lendel

Didn't put Norse on that list, but they did have their place and the ones I still have are great paddles for raft guiding or boney rivers.
Eric Esche

[Roger]

Eric, you really think that parrothead paddler bought that stik?

His lovely wife, Emily, gifted him with that as I recall!

[Eric Esche]

I've met Emily. She is a fine lady of discerning taste. Not suprised that it applies to paddles as well. I'm sure Randy would agree with that statement.

I only hope that I find another carbon bent shaft Lendel Powermaster, before they are all gone, as Susan likes it as much as my Skreem and she really likes the Skreem. Want the next one in 230 or 240 cm length. Might have to sell off a few things to afford it though.

I've heard good things about ONNO paddles. Think I could get them to fashion me something someday, but I'm happy with what I've got for open canoe paddles for now, and barring breaking or losing something, I'm good in spades for the present on whitewater and touring sticks as long as folks return what I have loaned out. Even have some Norse paddles incase someone invites me rafting.

Eric

[Randy Dodson]

$ 250 - Creek Stick, wood blade / wood shaft, dynel sleeve, metal tip. bomber.


thanks Eric, she does have discerning taste. that gift was proof that her taste in paddles is as refined as her taste in men.