Paddles-- law of diminishing returns?

Similiar discussion
See thread

http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=1613610



Recreation is all about enjoyment of the activity.

Decent equipment helps the experience

Plenty to digest
Good info here and not even all contradictory – not a bad start. I might need to re-think SOME of what I’m planning.



My wife is much shorter than I but that’s mostly my legs… I need to read more and maybe a pair of same-length (220? less?) matched paddles makes more sense. I guess the analogy is you wouldn’t want to ride a tandem bike with mis-matched chainrings!



Anyway, until I get to the $6K range of boats, none of this is uncorrectable, if I buy the wrong item, just sell it and move on.

adding to willowleaf
When my wife and I started paddling, we took an intro class, rented, went on tours with outfitter, paddled with local paddlers with borrowed gear.

That gave us really good exposure to equipment options, let us test drive a variety of boats, paddles, pfds.

It also convinced us not to go tandem, but that is besides the point.

Anyways, in the rental fleet of company that I instruct and guide for we have SINK and SOT tandems, everybody manages to get by with Werner 210 Tybee. It might be not the most ideal boat/paddle combination, but it gets the job done.

For the actual paddling - in tandem same cadence, or strokes per minute, for both paddlers is desirable. If paddlers are quite mismatched power-wise and have same surface area blades, one of them is going to slack off, the other get exhausted.



A really good resource for trying out equipment is local paddler groups and outfitters. Perhaps you could ran a search for online groups?

Go to ACk
Instead of test paddling pixels go to Annapolis Canoe and Kayak and pick they’re brains and ask to test paddle a few models that they think would be likely candidates. They are on the water and they might even have something in the way of a used tandem that you’re in search of. Use your local experts first, unless you’re killing time at the office I suppose.



See you on the water,

Marshall

The River Connection, Inc.

Hyde Park, NY

www.the-river-connection.com

A:
Only you can make that determination. IMO once you get past decent design and materials (no aluminum), it all depends on distance traveled and personal preferences.



I think Marshall offers excellent advice. Personally I wouldn’t buy a top-line paddle for my first boat for a number of reasons.

what do you use for that QCC?
QCC, right? Are you using a wing, and which one?



How do you like it?

Rent before you buy …
try renting three or four times with different kinds of boats and asking to try different paddles, try different lengths. Attend a demo day this spring where you can try boats and paddles on the water. New Kayakers start out looking at the lowest priced NEW equipment they can afford. It’s usually a better idea to buy a used boat and the owners often throw in the paddles in the deal. Use them for a while and then buy a decent paddle. Aquabound makes decent entry level paddles. Also look at Onno Paddles for a good price on a quality paddle.

That was half-joking about the 3 feet
Wide boat. And yes, paddler height and arms length help one use a shorter paddle in a bigger boat. I have no issues paddling a 30+ inch wide recreational kayak with a 210cm paddle but I do have serious issues with paddling a 22-24" wide sea kayak with anything over 215 cm (though, admittedly, 220cm is fine if I’m not looking for the perfect size). Yes, YMMV.

YES! Also, check out …
The cpakayaker.com - this is probably the best place to find local paddlers. We got several “piracy” groups and most of us are more than willing to let you try our gear. Check out the upcoming events on the calendar - very soon there is a gear day. You will find decent and probably reasonably priced used gear there and the opportunity to test paddle a lot of stuff that you will have hard time finding otherwise.



Annapolis Canoe and Kayak is also a great place to check - the folks who run it know paddling and you can demo lots of stuff there too. Reasonable prices too.

Buy used paddle on Craigslist

– Last Updated: Mar-28-13 4:59 PM EST –

If you can't afford a full-carbon paddle ($300 and up), look for a carbon shaft with fiberglass blades. It's surprising how many people buy a Werner Camano paddle and end up not using it. Examples:

http://daytona.craigslist.org/spo/3678754379.html
http://bend.craigslist.org/boa/3624822763.html

Sometimes these folks can be convinced to ship a paddle to you, but make sure they know how to package it to avoid damage.

Sell the kayak, keep the paddle, or keep both:
http://bend.craigslist.org/boa/3685467639.html

onno wing
218-208 small mid wing. I paddle it at 213 usually.



I love it. I’m convinced there is isn’t a ton of difference between the good wings. Ive paddled about 4 different brands and I’m sure I could get comfortable with all of them. I love the feel of the wing in the water. Absolutely solid, no slip in the water, and it forces an athletic high angle stroke. I can’t go back to a euro.



The onno is about as light as you will get and extremely well made. Plus Pat is as cool a fellow as you will ever meet. Especially if he would finish his single blade paddle he keeps teasing me with.



I also have a custom single blade from sanborn canoe company. I started using it a lot in my kayak, but I’m thinking I don’t really prefer it. I carry it in case of injury in races and I love it with my solo canoe.



Ryan L.

Specific Suggestion
The Werner Sprite kids paddle. Its less than $100, reasonably light and very easy on the joints. Small blade but its going to be able to drive a rec tandem (and most touring kayaks) at its top speed.

that’s my favorite paddle!
Mine’s worn and tattered but it still does the job.

Further thought re paddle for wife
I had subsequent thoughts about your situation with the tandem. It sounds like your wife is rather short in the torso and not nearly as big as you overall. If that is correct, it’s a pretty sure bet that the cockpit fit which feels fine to you will be swallowing her up.



That means that you will really have to check the reach to the water, as willowleaf said, because she will be working harder than you to get that paddle blade securely into the water. She’ll be harder to set a good length for than you.



It might be prudent to hold off getting a paddle for her until you have a boat, to make sure she has the right fit. You can get paddles that can be set to different lengths within a 10 cm range, but he ones I know cost a few hundred.

ok, I’ve got to try a wing paddle
Thanks.

Hey Marshall did you see the Post on a
guy looking to buy a Prijon?

Werner Camano is a classic
I don’t think I phrased this right: “It’s surprising how many people buy a Werner Camano paddle and end up not using it.” I meant, it’s surprising how many people spend a lot of money on good kayaks and paddles and end up not using them. That means there are good deals to be found.



I find that the Camano has only one little irritating habit: it makes a PLOUK sound that bugs me. Very good paddle otherwise and widely available used on the internet.

Anyone need a 240cm carbon Camano? $250
http://nh.craigslist.org/spo/3715952906.html



(Not mine. I just happened to notice it.)

It is stupid !
Any one that would buy a $300 boat, and then spring for a $300 paddle to paddle said boat with, needs their head examined.



jack L

I would do that.
But I’d be buying a used high dollar paddle, not the high dollar paddle at retail price.