Best value/performance in a kayak paddle?

It's likely I'll need to find a new paddle to go with my future kayak purchase.  I currently use a Carlisle Magic 240 with my Cobra Triple, but my next yak may not require as long a paddle.  I'm looking for thoughts on the best combination of value and performance.

I have 2 Werner Camano paddles.  One is an older style 240 that I bought used off Craigslist for $90.  It's all fiberglass and only has 2 feathering positions.  The other is a new 230 that I won at the ORC last year (5th place).  It's got a lighter weight carbon shaft, nearly continuous feathering from 0-60deg and a lighter weight blade design.

Can't speak to any other paddles, but whether because they're good, or just because of ignorance of the alternatives, I'm pretty happy with that style.  My yak in an OK Prowler 13 that is 28" wide IIRC. 

The 240 definitely works well enough.  I think I like the 230 better, but I'm not sure if the shorter length or the lighter weight is the main driver.  I'm keeping the 240 for the time being as a backup in case I break or lose the 230.  It'll probably go up for sale if I get another paddle at some point that I like better.

I've always thought the Carlisle all fiberglass paddles were a good value/performance.  I used to paddle the Carlisle Enchantment, which unfortunately is now discontinued.  However, it was replaced by the Carlisle Expedition.  While I haven't paddled the Expedition yet, it seems like a good value at $169.99.  I'm curious to know if anyone here paddles the Expedition and what their thoughts are on it.

-Allen

The low end Werner paddles are pretty sweet IMHO. They are pretty light and extremely tough. I prefer the Tybee but the Skagit is a good choice as well.

Because you sit a bit higher on a sit-on-top I'd suggest choosing a high angle paddle and potentially erring a bit on the high side when factoring in your height.  I believe a 230 cm high angle paddle is a pretty common choice for most.

Regarding materials...
Plastic and aluminum paddles are cheap (~$50-$100) but heavy (40+ oz).  Maybe a good option if you're really rough with your paddles. 
Fiber glass is a nice compromise between cost (~$100-$200) and weight (~32 oz).
Carbon fiber is very expensive (~$400) but even lighter (~28-30 oz) a dream to paddle.

To me it's totally worth the extra $50-$100 to drop a half pound of weight from the paddle between aluminum and fiberglass.   However, I'm not sure I'd spend another $200 to just save a few more ounces between fiberglass and carbon fiber. 

That said, I do have a bent shaft carbon fiber Lendal paddle that I love to death.  Luckily it was a gift.

To me it's totally worth the extra $50-$100 to drop a half pound of weight from the paddle between aluminum and fiberglass.   However, I'm not sure I'd spend another $200 to just a few more ounces between fiberglass and carbon fiber. 

+1.  I see relatively little performance in materials cheaper than FG so they wouldn't score well for me it the val/perf equation.  For the incremental cost, the performance goes way up for FB, and therefore the val/perf score is a lot better.  Moving up to carbon fiber, the performance goes incrementally up, but the cost goes way up, so therefore the val/perf score declines again.

-Allen

Carved from a $2.49 Cedar 2 x 4. Only 26 oz.  Paddle all day without getting tired or sore shoulders. Upside- custom fit to the paddler. Downside- white water kayakers need not apply.    Interestingly, I was able to sustain a higher rate of speed with this paddle in my cedar strip SINK than with the Euro-style, according to a gps.

Thanks for the input.  I'm convinced now that my plastic/aluminum paddle is going to be replaced this season with an FB model.

I absolutely love my Camano! The Skagit is a good paddle but the upgrade to the Camano is worth it.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Craig, want to teach me how to carve a cedar paddle? Seems like a nice way to fit myself and grandkids. My dad was a master woodcarver but I haven't done anything since making a few cypress decoys with him when I was a kid. I still have several of his in various states of completion. I've got most of his tools.

Sure miss my dad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One of the better articles I know of on building a greenland paddle is: http://www.qajaqusa.org/QK/makegreen2.pdf
Cool website to poke around and see how the purist side lives

nice job on the cedar paddle craig! i've used a werner for years. the shaft finally cracked, so i got a corryvrecken carbon shaft from Kayak Fishing Supplies (see classifieds). it was on sale for $220. looking forward to using it!

Those are great paddles PNW!

One of the better articles I know of on building a greenland paddle is: http://www.qajaqusa.org/QK/makegreen2.pdf
Cool website to poke around and see how the purist side lives

That is where I got the idea and plans.

If possible try to demo as many paddles as you can, just like you would with a kayak purchase. Buy a cheap spare paddle at first (you need a spare paddle anyway), then you can take the time to choose the right paddle type and size later. 

I would recommend paddling the cheap paddle for a while to find out what paddling style you prefer ( high angle vs low).  Spring is coming up and there will be plenty of paddle festivals and demo days were you can try out different paddles

After figuring out your paddle style the next step is choosing the correct length.  A longer paddle will cause early fatigue and stress on your shoulders so go with the shortest length that you can.