Shaft v. Overall Length
Not something that most people think of, but the length of the paddle shaft might matter more than the overall length of the paddle. You can get used to just about everything, but consider…
Lendal 215 touring paddles have about the same shaft length as:
Aquabound 215
Werner Shuna/Cyprus 205
Werner Corevreckian/Ikelos 210
If you put all of these paddles side-by-side on the floor, they have the same length shaft, which means that they will have the same reach, angle of attack, etc. Even though some of them are as much as 5 inches longer overall.
So, if you are used to a 215 Lendal, and you pick up a 215 Shuna, it’s gunna feel pretty long, and maybe a little slow in the water. And, if you are happy with the Shuna you use, going to a Lendal might make you feel like you don’t have enough reach.
Course, we’re really only talking about a couple of inches here. Splitting hairs, perhaps…
Brian
P&H team guy/Rutabaga guy
Lendal vs ???
Brian
What Lendal “touring paddle” are you referring to? I am curious about this…
I use a Kinetic Tour for its “large bite” blades as I paddle with a higher style of paddling. I have not noticed it being longer than a Werner Ikelos that matches up pretty well blade-wise.
I also use the 4 piece Lendal posilock that could also have something to do with it I guess. This lets me swap blades to keep the same shaft or vice versa. Werners only come in one or two piece that I know of. (which is NOT a bad thing)
I always thought a 210cm paddle, be it werner or lendal or whatever, given that the blades were the same length - that the overall paddle is the same too. Course, all bets off if you are using one of those longbladed tour blades for low paddle styles and using a four piece.
Scott
CD1
That would be nice…I like Greyak and respect him alot too though am curious why you don’t refer to THIS WINTER…why wait another year?
Not sure which thread you are referring to.
S
Lendal Blades
All Lendal touring blades (with the exception of the touring wings) are the same length. WW blades are a little shorter. Touring wings are little longer.
Which means that all Lendal shafts are the same length for a given overall paddle length, regardless of the blade, be it a Kinetic Tour or an Archipelago. In fact, now that most Lendals are 4-piece, you buy a shaft that is labeled 215 to go with your blade set. Overall paddle length is dictated by shaft length at the shop.
Lendal blades don’t get shorter as they get smaller. The Powermaster, Nordkapp, and Archipelago blades are all the same length.
Werner does it differently, shrinking the whole blade in two dimensions when going from an Ikelos to a Cyprus. This might be a better way to go to get consistent performance from a smaller blade. Who knows? But, it means that the smaller Werner blades are built on longer shafts.
Camano/Little Dipper. Ikelos/Cyprus. The smaller blade is built on a longer shaft, and the paddle has a different reach. Only slightly in some cases.
It is a bigger jump to go from something like a Lendal Kinetic Tour to a Shuna, where you will gain about 10cm in shaft length if you keep the overall length the same.
If you want to check this out yourself, be sure to compare the paddles from a consistent spot. The easiest way to do this is to lay one over the top other the other so that the bases of the blades on one end match.
The differences are small. But a 5-10cm difference in shaft length is like switching from a 215 to a 220 or 225.
So, shaft length is worth looking at/comparing to your favorite paddle.
And, we’re probably too picky about this stuff anyway. 215. 220. They’ll both get the job done.
Maybe the fact that people don’t pay attention to paddle shaft length means that it doesn’t matter that much.
Brian
cool info
Thanks!
Hmmmmm, I was always told that shaft length was very important! Or was it the size of the “blade”? Heck, I just think its HOW you use your paddle!!
Yep, it would be fun if everyone would
call me and say … " I need X shaft length." Then I would plug my blades on and what ever length it is, it is. I talk to people about this and good to do it person to person as not possible for big guys to do as it would set up confusion and require better knowledge at the retail end. Imagine posing that question to the kid @ the big box store.
All of my touring blades are basically the same length for this reason … interchangability between power. All of these blades seamlessly flow between high and low angle styles without bias. On the list of things I always ask is what paddle(s) people have tried and /or are currently using. Partially because of below >
Within the industry you can get a 220 (86.6") paddle with a 52.5" Shaft or a 45.6’ shaft !
Thats a huge difference and YES it does matter.
No offense intended here, just a pet peeve… IMO the fingers over the tip thing is worthless … It does ZERO to factor in the boat, personal preferences, waters paddled etc.
For bigger guys paddling >22" boats using a higher angle style, 210 is right on the edge. But with its quick stroke and lively action, its gonna feel good. That said try it for a while then go back up a bit then back down just to make sure you still like the 210. Right about here(not including sub 20" wide boats) Your hands are just starting to fall out of optimal ergonomic position where you can develop the best power and get the blades buried. Again, this is for bigger guys 6’+ and NOT including personal preferences and everthing else I don’t know about said person or the paddle… < just IMO > If the paddle is the 45.6" version as above … way to short for all round paddling
If playing around in surf or rocks then for sure shorter still ( averaging everthing shaft:blade length wise ) ) is great.
a much better diagnostic:
Bring the palm of your hand to your face. Place the heel of your hand on your chin at chin level. If your finger tips reach your hair, you need a haircut.
210cm paddle?
There is a paddle size calculator on www.epickayaks.com.
210 sounds a bit short - I’m 6’3" with a long torso and short legs (32 inseam). My wing paddle is about 215-217 (adjustable), that translates to about a 222cm euro blade, and my boats are 17" wide. But, what really matters is how it works for you. If it is comfortable, and feels right - then is sounds good.
Good point
I have a pair of old Whetstone paddles. One is the short blade at 210cm and the other is the long blade at 220cm. Both have the same shaft length. The 220 is my go to paddle for my Caribou which is 21.75" wide. Both paddles work but the 220 gives me a little extra reach and just feels better. Paddle length is really a poor measurement with all the different blade sizes and shapes. Unwetted shaft length would be the measurement that makes the most sense.
Similar experience for me
as Wilsoj2 describes. I used a 210cm Ikelos for several years with a 21 1/2" wide kayak. I’m 6’2" tall and use a medium to a high angle stroke. While it was easy to keep a fast cadence with the 210cm, I didn’t feel like I was getting enough forward reach on the catch, so I switched to a 215cm Ikelos and voila, the problem was solved. I feel like I’m generating a lot more power now with my stroke and sweep strokes seem more effective as well.