Canoe paddle spare - Experience? - Canoeing / Kayaking

Table of Contents

Canoe paddle spare - Experience? - OCD_Yakker - Oct-23-12 7:25 AM
- Adjustable - beachcamper - Oct-23-12 7:58 AM
- 48" is too long for me. - Yanoer - Oct-23-12 9:23 AM
- 46 inch bent shaft - kayamedic - Oct-23-12 9:42 AM
- I use a 49" straight blade - booztalkin - Oct-23-12 11:11 AM
- spare single - amf - Oct-23-12 11:23 AM
- single - paddletothesea - Oct-23-12 11:29 AM
- single - radiomix - Oct-23-12 11:39 AM
- Quickie insert plug - willi_h2o - Oct-23-12 11:44 AM
- Short 5 degree bend - Glenn_MacGrady - Oct-23-12 3:38 PM

Messages in this Topic

  Adjustable
  Posted by: beachcamper on Oct-23-12 7:58 AM (EST)

-- Last Updated: Oct-23-12 8:01 AM EST --

I bought an adjustable paddle made of aluminum and plastic found at most west marine or bass pro shops. With it was able to experiment with best length to use out of the kayak. It was also great for exploring in tight mangrove creeks.

Ended up with a bent shaft ZRE carbon. The bent shaft was too difficult to store on deck. Think about a straight shaft instead for your spare.

  48" is too long for me.
  Posted by: Yanoer on Oct-23-12 9:23 AM (EST)

I've been using a 47.75" ZRE Medium in my kayaks recently and it seems at least 2" too long, though it really moves my Epic Touring Cruiser 16 along very nicely. I'm looking for a 46" to try.

  46 inch bent shaft
  Posted by: kayamedic on Oct-23-12 9:42 AM (EST)

works fine in a kayak. Hit and switch.

Fox Worx makes them. Look at the Micro light or the standard.

However you may find storage of the bent awkward. Many of my kayaking friends love having a canoe paddle for tight places.

  I use a 49" straight blade
  Posted by: booztalkin on Oct-23-12 11:11 AM (EST)

And not just for backup. I switch back and forth between single and a greenland blade. I enjoy the feel of the single blade, but then, I think I am a canoeist at heart.

I'm 6'4", so maybe I can get away with a few inches more paddle than shorter-torso'd paddlers, or maybe my paddle is too long and I just don't know any better. 46" sounds about right.

I switch sides about every five strokes. The switch would be easier with a shorter paddle. Also, if you have a rudder (I don't), it might be easier to just stay on one side.

~~Chip

  spare single
  Posted by: amf on Oct-23-12 11:23 AM (EST)

I know of at least one paddle carver (Tuktu) who makes them. Just the right size, nicely finished.

  single
  Posted by: paddletothesea on Oct-23-12 11:29 AM (EST)

I actually switched entirely to single blade. Paddle longer and zero fatigue and can keep up if not paddle father than my double blade friends.
...afterall....a double blade you will life nearly 15-tons more weight in paddle over a 10 hour paddle day than a single blade.
Yeah get a ZRE have them cut it short 43-48 depending on your size

  single
  Posted by: radiomix on Oct-23-12 11:39 AM (EST)

I have a 48, it might be a tad long. But really anything between 46-48 would be fine for a spare. I went with sanborn canoe company's borealis model. Light, affordable, and pretty.

Ryan L.

  Quickie insert plug
  Posted by: willi_h2o on Oct-23-12 11:44 AM (EST)

-- Last Updated: Oct-23-12 11:45 AM EST --

A simple T Handle plug easily converts your
kayak paddle to a canoe style paddle.

http://bit.ly/InsertPlug

A great back up piece of gear,
to put in the hatch for emergencies.

  Short 5 degree bend
  Posted by: Glenn_MacGrady on Oct-23-12 3:38 PM (EST)

When I got my first sea kayak in 1996 I had Al Camp (now Foxworx) custom make me a 5 degree bent shaft out of his light foam blade technology. I think it's about 40" total length, but I'd have to go down into the apocalyptic rubble of my garage to actually measure it.

The 5 degree bend allows it to fit fairly flat behind the cockpit and also provide some mechanical advantage for the seated butt boat posture.

I never use it.

	Adjustable Posted by: beachcamper on Oct-23-12 7:58 AM (EST)
	-- Last Updated: Oct-23-12 8:01 AM EST -- I bought an adjustable paddle made of aluminum and plastic found at most west marine or bass pro shops. With it was able to experiment with best length to use out of the kayak. It was also great for exploring in tight mangrove creeks. Ended up with a bent shaft ZRE carbon. The bent shaft was too difficult to store on deck. Think about a straight shaft instead for your spare.

	48" is too long for me. Posted by: Yanoer on Oct-23-12 9:23 AM (EST)
	I've been using a 47.75" ZRE Medium in my kayaks recently and it seems at least 2" too long, though it really moves my Epic Touring Cruiser 16 along very nicely. I'm looking for a 46" to try.

	46 inch bent shaft Posted by: kayamedic on Oct-23-12 9:42 AM (EST)
	works fine in a kayak. Hit and switch. Fox Worx makes them. Look at the Micro light or the standard. However you may find storage of the bent awkward. Many of my kayaking friends love having a canoe paddle for tight places.

	I use a 49" straight blade Posted by: booztalkin on Oct-23-12 11:11 AM (EST)
	And not just for backup. I switch back and forth between single and a greenland blade. I enjoy the feel of the single blade, but then, I think I am a canoeist at heart. I'm 6'4", so maybe I can get away with a few inches more paddle than shorter-torso'd paddlers, or maybe my paddle is too long and I just don't know any better. 46" sounds about right. I switch sides about every five strokes. The switch would be easier with a shorter paddle. Also, if you have a rudder (I don't), it might be easier to just stay on one side. ~~Chip

	spare single Posted by: amf on Oct-23-12 11:23 AM (EST)
	I know of at least one paddle carver (Tuktu) who makes them. Just the right size, nicely finished.

	single Posted by: paddletothesea on Oct-23-12 11:29 AM (EST)
	I actually switched entirely to single blade. Paddle longer and zero fatigue and can keep up if not paddle father than my double blade friends. ...afterall....a double blade you will life nearly 15-tons more weight in paddle over a 10 hour paddle day than a single blade. Yeah get a ZRE have them cut it short 43-48 depending on your size

	single Posted by: radiomix on Oct-23-12 11:39 AM (EST)
	I have a 48, it might be a tad long. But really anything between 46-48 would be fine for a spare. I went with sanborn canoe company's borealis model. Light, affordable, and pretty. Ryan L.

	Quickie insert plug Posted by: willi_h2o on Oct-23-12 11:44 AM (EST)
	-- Last Updated: Oct-23-12 11:45 AM EST -- A simple T Handle plug easily converts your kayak paddle to a canoe style paddle. http://bit.ly/InsertPlug A great back up piece of gear, to put in the hatch for emergencies.

	Short 5 degree bend Posted by: Glenn_MacGrady on Oct-23-12 3:38 PM (EST)
	When I got my first sea kayak in 1996 I had Al Camp (now Foxworx) custom make me a 5 degree bent shaft out of his light foam blade technology. I think it's about 40" total length, but I'd have to go down into the apocalyptic rubble of my garage to actually measure it. The 5 degree bend allows it to fit fairly flat behind the cockpit and also provide some mechanical advantage for the seated butt boat posture. I never use it.