Bent shaft paddles

I'm gonna have a new kayak soon (non-Mirage drive ) and was wondering what the consensus on bent shaft paddles was.. especially the people who paddle them regularly.

Z

I'm gonna have a new kayak soon (non-Mirage drive ) and was wondering what the consensus on bent shaft paddles was.. especially the people who paddle them regularly.

Z

I was paddling a bent shaft for a while.....IMO: it's good to use when your on the "trolling / touring mode". I switched back to the straight shaft because I missed my "ruler sticker"  I hear it really becomes a personal choice. I talked to several of the SIK paddlers / surf ski folks from Aquan (some of 'em are Adventure Racers) and they still prefer to use the straight shaft over the bent shaft. To each his own I guess....but it's always good to give it a try and see for yourself 

I like the concept, but I would think the bent shaft would make it difficult to secure in some kayak paddle keepers.

i have one and I love it  but it will give you some problems with your paddle Holder but not much.

http://www.bendingbranches.com/compkayak/ck_slice_crank.html

here are the pros.

it will give you a stronger grip on the paddle
with less pressure so you don't fatigue as fast

to me it just feels stronger in my hands when you
are paddling. 

you can change your grip angle on the bent part
of the shaft this also helps with fatigue.

cons.

just the paddle holder thing but it don't bug me.

WORD Duane    

I use both kinds. I tend to use the bent shaft for touring, since it's easier on the wrists for long distances. I use the straight shaft for fishing because it seems easier to deal with and stows faster.

In my SIK (Nigel foster Legend) I use my carbon bent shaft almost exclusively. I've used it on my fishin yak but at $300+ I'm more comfortable with it as a back-up. I use a straight carbon shaft, nylon blade set-up made by Aqua-bound. Good technique is all thats required to alleviate the need for a bent shaft.

I'm currently using a bent shaft, but am thinking about switching back.  I personally don't notice a difference when using one at least when I'm going straight.  Where I do notice a difference is what I'm trying to something like a sculling draw stroke to side up to someone.  I just can't get the right feel with the bent shaft.  Or when I want to reach far out and slide the shaft out, the bends get in the way.

Z, try mine out sometime.

-Allen

Z, try mine out sometime.
-Allen

Thanks Pole2, I'd like to give it a spin. If I continue to use your gear like this I think I can consider you my first sponsor!

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback. So pretty much a matter of personal choice. Funny, it's a huge jump in price so I figured it'd have some huge advantage over a conventional straight shaft. I guess the price comes from a difficult construction process then??

Z

I've found that if you move away from standard flat blade straight shaft paddles, then any benefit that occurs is at the expense of overall paddle usefulness.

For instance, go to a bent shaft paddle, and you may feel more comfortable while doing straight ahead paddling. But as polepole said, what does it do for your ability to scull, brace, draw, pry?

Go to a wing, and your forward efficiency improves. But again, what does it do to your sculling brace, sculling draw, or roll (Yes skeptics, I do roll my Scupper) ?

So I keep on sticking with a feathered straight shaft, flat blade paddle. It seems to be the best overall compromise. One thing I do though, is try to keep my cadence up and get good torso rotation, and make sure that I'm holding on to the paddle only as tightly as needed. Killer death grips are so very unnecessary 99.9% of the time.

Regards,
Scott

Ok, so how do you guys feel about feathering your paddles? What are the advantages?

I keep mine w/ no feather because my wrists pop from CTS damage. But even when I did try to feather it it didn't really feel like it was giving me any real huge advantage. Thoughts?

Z

Z - I used to non-feather......now I Feather. It helps a lot when you're paddling against the wind. IMO: It's good to have a paddle that you can adjust the angle of the feather to your liking....unfortunately, that option will cost you a little more bling bling 

I prefer my shaft to be straight    Feather is all good.  We have some new Accent carbon paddles with infinite feather and no moving parts.  I have no idea how it works, but it is snug and strong...AMAZING and super light. 



No more adjustable length though

I prefer my shaft to be straight    Feather is all good.  We have some new Accent carbon paddles with infinite feather and no moving parts.  I have no idea how it works, but it is snug and strong...AMAZING and super light. 



No more adjustable length though

That thing looks pretty sweet. Cool that it doesn't have that pop-up steel button.. mine has almost popped out a few times.

Z

Feathering is crucial in a strong headwind. Once you get used to it, you don't even think about it. You'll splash around like a fool at first, but in no time it becomes second nature. The dial-in feather device that SCWAfish posted is great. I have that on my bent-shaft paddle. I also agree that a bent-shaft paddle is no big deal. Save the extra money and get a good carbon paddle with the dial-in feathering.

I was on the Rogue River a couple of days ago on a whitewater run. The rafting company had a tandem inflatable with those long heavy aluminum paddles. That thing was a blast, rolled over the waves like a snake, but the paddle was a monster. Reminded me how much difference a light paddle makes!

Ok, so how do you guys feel about feathering your paddles? What are the advantages?

I keep mine w/ no feather because my wrists pop from CTS damage. But even when I did try to feather it it didn't really feel like it was giving me any real huge advantage. Thoughts?

Z

I started out sea kayaking before I took up kayak fishing so I carry that prejudice. Primarily, I decided to use a kayak as a float tube replacement for fly fishing: cover more water, carrying more gear, and handle windy conditions better. So I came to kayak fishing using a "crankshaft" paddle. I use Lendal paddles and I really like them a lot though they are pricey. I like the fact I can change blades though honestly don't really for fishing use. My Prowler 15's paddle holders work fine with it (elastic cord and a hook, but mostly I have the paddle in my lap anyway or I toss it over board since its leashed. My spare is a straight shaft Lendal with plastic blades broken down and inside the hatch.