Paddles?

As most of you know I just bought a Prowler 13. I mowed a couple of extra lawns and can now afford to buy a Paddle. What is the opinion on Paddles? i.e. straight blade, fiberglass, maker?

I was looking at a Bending Branches Slice Glass Plus Fiberglass Straight-Shaft Paddle I saw online. Just don't know. I’m 5'8" and the yak is 28" wide. Info I have seen says a 130cm paddle is the better length.

Orion   

I'm 5'9" and my yak is 26" wide. So we probably even out there.

I have a 224 cm custom one piece paddle from patrick onno in so cal and a 220 cm 2-piece 'wind' model paddle from swift. 230 might be a little long. 220 might be a little short, it depends on how upright your paddling style is. 

I can get tendonitus etc easily so I like a paddle with a smaller blade. it might be counterintuitive, but more
and easier paddle strokes cause injury less than fewer and harder paddle strokes.

this is like using a smaller "gear".  personally I think this is the right choice for kayak fishermen for other reasons.
we troll, we noodle around structure, we commute long distances to fishing grounds.

big blades are for people that want to race and catch waves.

you might just get a cheap paddle to start because it's hard to get exactly the right one for you without trying
a few and paddling a bunch. but I'd suggest a mid or smalller sized blade and 220 cm length.

J

use the "search"

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=1862.0

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=3116.0

Thanks guys! Now I understand… I search in confidence now.

Orion

I have a Werner Camano 240 cm and love it.
We just bought 2 Manta Ray paddles by Aqua-Bound from CCK. With tax they are $150 each. You can spens less but you can also spend a LOT more. They are sturdy paddles. They have carbon shafts and weigh in at 31.75 oz. and are 230cm.
CHUB loves his new paddle and so does Becky. I think it is a pretty decent bang for the buck.

CHUB loves his new paddle and so does Becky

If that paddle has the Chub and Becky stamp of approval, it must be good.

I stopped by CCK today and picked one up. Looks good and the price is right.
Thanks for the tip.



Update 8/6/06: Took the new paddle out for a test drive today. It has my stamp of approval too.

Update 9/4/06: After more use, I retract my previous update. This paddle is a great deal and may work well for other paddlers, but it's not a good fit for me.

Yea Baby!
Used the lawn mowing money to buy a Manta Ray Paddle today (thanks for the help)! I couldn’t wait to dump the coin on a PFD, so I sold the wife’s cat. I know you’re thinking, “what could a cat be worth, but this one did tricks. So I bought a PFD as well. Now I can hit the water and freeze, but that’s better than not yak’ in around at all.

Thanks guys! Orion
 

I just took out my new Aqua-bound carbon fiber 240 cm Eagle Ray paddle for the first time and am very happy with it. I am 6'3" with a 28 1/2" boat so that is the length for me. 230 cm felt too short. That paddle is on sale at Clavey River Equipment in Petaluma for $156.00, regularly $200.00. It seems like a very good value to me.

After using my new Manta-Ray a couple of times I noticed a lot tendinitis pain.  My wrists and elbows were killing me (still are). As stated in the ads, the MRay is a very upright type of paddle. I didn't realize it would make that much difference. REI had a special on the Sting-Ray carbons for $149. I ordered one and tested it Saturday.  What a difference! Much easier for me to use and it's lighter, 27.5 vs 31.7. The Sting and Eagle rays are for a more level paddle. Seems to be kinder on old guys like me.

Lesson learned: "Test drive the paddle before making purchase."

I paddled the Werner Shuna straight shaft at 220cm at Paddlefest this weekend. I am 5'8" and was paddling the Maurader XF and the Prowler 15 with the paddle in the wind+chop. It was very comfortable and had a good feel. I am new into this sport, but from the paddles that I have tried...this is the one I will go with I am sure.

-Michael