wayne
even though 3 style are similar to the 2 you already have, the 4th “marty brown” is a bit diff. Look at these from dri-ki woodworking, great price, great product, I have a beaver tail I love, and carry a plastic cheapee for shallow parts of rivers/spare paddle. I have a maine guide comeing and am ordering a marty brown soon to replace the plastic as a back up/river paddle.
http://www.dri-kiwoodworking.com/
I have two from Porter that I’ve had
for more than twenty years and were possibly made by that guy. They are a bit heavy for me now, but are very nicely crafted in the traditional style by someone who’d been at it for awhile. I’ve had mine everywhere and still take my guide paddle with me up to Moosehead every year where it belongs.
I don’t know how Dri-K makes a living at those prices, but I agree that his paddles, while throwbacks, are a great value.
Need Data
Until you tell us what hull you paddle and your stance in it, whether you sit or kneel, we are just passing gas in the wind, except I do agree with the suggestion that you try a modern blade shape.
I did mention
that I paddle a Bell Yellowstone Solo. I kneel in it. I’m 5’7" tall with average dimensions.
I’m a GP’er in sea kayaks, so the “modern blade” stuff doesn’t mean anything to me - I know old designs work just as well, and sometimes better. I’m not into heavy whitewater, and even when I do paddle WW, it’s not often, or hardcore.
I’m looking for versatility, as I already have one specialized paddle, made for cruising in deeper water, and one that’s pretty versatile that was originally intended to be a comptetent spare.
you still did not specify
if you are a sitter or a kneeler. Bent shafts are more efficient for sitters and straights for kneelers and river work.
I did
Look above. I kneel, which is why I’m looking for a straight shaft paddle.
Based on what you’ve shared,
I don’t see how you can go too far wrong with Kim’s suggestion of the BB Espresso ST. I think you’ll find that the squared-off end, compared to what you’re used to, will help in shallower moving water.
Kneeling, shapes
I’ve always been a kneeler, but primarily use bent shafts for straight ahead paddling on FW whether I’m sitting or kneeling. To me, they seem more efficient for straight ahead kneel paddling, including both paddling single-sided correction stroke or switch paddling for powerering up currents or in winds.
Of course, you may like your beavertail for FW.
The more “modern” shapes are simply the rectangular shapes you can see in the Sawyer and Mitchell links, or the squashed shape of a racing blade you can see in many of the Gillespie bent blades.
I have many Mitchell paddles and recommend them highly for WW paddles. Their FW paddles are a little heavier than the Sawyer FW’s because they use more ash. Their best FW paddle is the hybrid Surreal, IMO. But it’s expensive unless you can find a deal.
The tips and edges are where you usually bash river paddles the most, so Sawyer and some other companies will surround the blade with very tough resin-plastic tips and edgings.
It’s really a matter of total overall feel. The blade shape may be the one you want, but the shaft may be too stiff or whippy, or you many not like a grip. Some paddlers like T grips for control in moving water, and just about all dedicated WW paddles use T grips. Lighter weight is important to me but not at all costs.
sorry! NM
not only are my replies going
where I didn’t want (aargh) I just wanted to point out that “modern” squarish paddles transmit turning forces quite a bit more than your traditional paddles do. When you get a wider paddle any force on the edge is magnified. This can make your life easier for turning your YS and can make it harder if your correction on your forward is a little off.
Its kind of like comparing GP to a wide Euro one. Wide short blades may accelerate faster too but have a more tiring effect in the long run.
tktoo
yeah, the price is fantastic, which is why i have been suggesting them to anyone that has asked me, plus the paddles are quality. I plan on ordering a second guide, and a marty brown soon…
Funny you should mention
GP’s - I was out canoeing last night, and grabbed an old GP that I had broken years ago that was the same length as my canoe paddles. I sanded down the broken edge to make a grip, and used it to paddle my YS.
It worked just fine as a canoe paddle in flatwater, but you have to put it real deep in the water to get a good bite. It was a fun thing to try.
I like to make the canoe police cringe
actually used my GP to work on a sliding stroke. In a canoe I had to do that stroke or else just do a standard repertoire of canoeing strokes and ignore 50 % of the GP.
OK, kneeling in a Sport Canoe
– Last Updated: May-04-11 5:28 PM EST –
In addition to a Dog Paddle from Marc Ornstein, another mid-priced fav is the Cricket designs Gemini, selecting you blade size to fit @ ~$250.
A more utilitarian synthetic is the Grey Owl-Raven Freestyle, ~$200. Get the thing with the palm grip loose. Dump a 3 oz slurry of epoxy and lead shot in the grip to balance the heavy blade. After that's set up, start cutting shaft to length and evaluating whether you want more weight in the grip. I used Plexus to attach the grip because that was adjacent in the shop, but epoxy will do just fine.
With your hulls skegged stern you might try a bent too. Big bladed if you'll stay with a 30 stroke per minute cadence; Mitchell or Cricket, or if you can maintain a stroke rate of 50 spm or so try a Fox Works or a Zav reinforced for whitewater.
Good prices on Mitchell paddles
– Last Updated: May-04-11 6:05 PM EST –
This site has good prices for Mitchell, $110 for the Seneca and $180 for the Surreal:
http://www.shopcanoeing.com/collections/mitchell-paddles-store
On edit: $140 for the Touring Special.
Thanks everybody!
I’ll definitely look at all the suggestions, and see if anything catches my eye.
Not sure I’ll ever go composite, though. I’ve tried them, and the feel just isn’t right. Yes, they are lighter, and yes, they can accelerate better in many circumstances, but I don’t like the feel of them - well, I haven’t found one yet that has the feel I’m looking for. I have one composite kayak paddle that I actually do like, but it feels delicate compared to wood. And even that is a longer, narrower blade.
I’ll probably end up with something about 8 inches wide or so, knowing me, but as I said, I’ll look at everything first.
Thanks again!
I ordered
a 58 inch BB Espresso ST. Should have it next week. Really looking forward to giving it a good shakedown at the Willimantic River Fest on the 21st!
And while I was at it, I ordered a new sprayskirt for my CD Caribou as well. The old one leaks too much for using in textured water anymore.
Thanks again, everyone!!!
the BB Expresso ST looks nice !!
… I like the darker color on the black willow .
In some ads for this paddle the color is much lighter (clear ??) … are you expecting the darker looking paddle , is there a choice ??
Best price I’ve seen for it is 107. at OutdoorPlay (free S/H) … how does that compare to where you ordered yours ??
No choice
basically, you get what they sent, so the color is an unknown until I open the bag to see.
I got it for $110 with free shipping.
You ORDERED? without permission …
… from us as to the proper length? Sheesh, that would’ve been good for at least 100 posts.
I’d be interested in your impressions regarding the flexibility of the shaft after you’ve used it a while.