Blade length does not matter
Only shaft length.
It does when suggesting overall length
without considering how long the blade is.
Shaft length is what matters, not overall length.
Very Good Advice
You can tell a lot more if you can get your hands ON the paddle. Unfortunately, I’m hundreds of miles from a decent paddle shop.
FoxWorx
– Last Updated: Jan-07-13 9:35 AM EST –
Has a very paddle specific sizing chart.
http://www.foxworxpaddle.com/sizing_chart.html
The one I am thinking about has foam
Foam adds a little structure
and saves a bit of weight…
Repair could be a little more difficult, I am not sure.
The chart is only a general guide
– Last Updated: Jan-07-13 7:18 PM EST –
While the foxworx chart is one of many different commonly used measurement methods, the optimum paddle length can depend on a lot more than that one measurement. Height above water line is what counts, and even that is not necessarily proportional depending on paddling style (racing or recreational), experience, favorite stroke, height of mounted seat, canoe load, and probably many other factors.
When I train for racing as bowman in one particular expedition voyageur canoe, I like to use a 54 inch bent shaft. In the stern, where the seat is higher and different strokes are called for, a 56 inch is better. Load the canoe with gear for multi-day races and I'll go with 52/54. In a different smaller voyageur canoe we use for training or short distance races, an inch or two shorter paddle is better.
In a larger tandem canoe I'll opt for a 53 or 52 inch paddle, 51 inch in a smaller tandem. In a Rapidfire with high seat I single blade with either a 50, 49, or 48 inch, depending on load and water conditions.
and that is why you probably
have 43 paddles as I do…
But where to start. Borrow something from someone and paddle with it. Measure from your grip hand to the point its wet. That is the shaft length.
Add the length of the blade. That works for straights. Bents involve a little trig.
Purging fanaticism and gearslutism …
… I think 50" for a Foxworx bent is a good length for a 5-10 guy.
While having different length paddles for different seating, hull and load configurations may be optimal, the recreational canoeist can adapt to many different length paddles. I’ve used the same favorites in all canoes for many years (some of them 30 years), but I’m a non-racing, lily dipping, steady-but-medium-pace, sub-optimal kind of guy.
Purging fanaticism & gearslutism II
Since being carved at the Skinboat school in 2003, my Aleutian paddle has been my go-to paddle in both canoes and kayaks. It works decent in any canoe or kayak and works super in the Rapidfire canoe and narrower kayaks. You do have to reach an accommodation with paddle drip on windy days.
paddles
Making paddles is always the best option. I like Sawyer Paddles in Talent, OR.
Mitchell
I have two Mitchell bent shaft paddles that I like. Very light and they didn’t cost a ton. I highly recommend Mitchell if you don’t want to shell out a lot of money. I don’t think I spent over $50 for either.
I also have two straight shaft paddles, an Owl Head and Bending Branches. They are heavier than the Mitchells. They were pretty cheap, but still light years ahead of any of the cheap aluminum paddles I’ve used.