What paddle do you use?

On this subject, I tried to ski pole myself up the beach one day and bent and kinked my cheapo hobie padddle blades.

What's decent in the 50 buck range? with stiff blades..

I can't think of anything that I'd call decent (IMO) in the 50 dollar range.  The Carlisle Enchantment paddle I mentioned, at ~$170, is one of the better paddles for your money.  Similar paddle will run you $200 or more.  While I personally use a top of the line carbon fiber paddle ($$$), I don't really really recommend them as the incremental performance you may get out of them is not appropriate to the money you'd spend on them.  They are nice however, so if you got the scratch and are into top of the line, by all means, look into them.

-Allen

I'd agree with Allen on this. Paddle technique lessons are invaluable for efficiency in paddling and boat control. However, a well-built & properly designed paddle versus a paddle with excessive flex and/or poor blade design makes a huge difference as well. With that said, I don't necessarily recommend buying a top-end paddle right off the bat, especially if costs are an issue. A mid-range paddle such as the AT straight shaft Tour, Werner Cascadia, Bending Branches Slice/Slice Plus, Carlisle Enchantment, etc are great value for the money, then become a backup/spare/girlfriend/kid paddle if and when you upgrade.

On this subject, I tried to ski pole myself up the beach one day and bent and kinked my cheapo hobie padddle blades.

What's decent in the 50 buck range? with stiff blades..

best case would be a used one when they are moving up to a carbon fiber paddle.

And your right Allen, the are a lot of bottom of the line paddles that you'd want to take a pass on.

I can't think of anything that I'd call decent (IMO) in the 50 dollar range.  The Carlisle Enchantment paddle I mentioned, at ~$170, is one of the better paddles for your money.  Similar paddle will run you $200 or more.  While I personally use a top of the line carbon fiber paddle ($$$), I don't really really recommend them as the incremental performance you may get out of them is not appropriate to the money you'd spend on them.  They are nice however, so if you got the scratch and are into top of the line, by all means, look into them.

-Allen
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Ouch, I might have to just get another hobie paddle, there cheap as..

I bought a $6 cedar 2X4 and made this. Nice and light.
You can paddle forever,but doesn't work well in the shallow water.  Unless you like poling.

Also, after Jself's wonderful costumer service while purchasing a new drysuit at Alder Creek yesterday, I highly recommend going there.  Also, you get 20% off on your birthday.  Thanks again Jason.

--Craig

Nice paddle.  I've always wanted to build one. A long time ago, I took a trip to the Amazon.  One of the guides took a hunk of wood and a machete and carved a canoe paddle in a matter of minutes, then proceeded to use that paddle.  It was pretty cool, so cool in fact I asked him to carve me a scaled down model to take home as a souvenir.  That little paddle still hangs on wall in my garage.

-Allen

I can't think of anything that I'd call decent (IMO) in the 50 dollar range.  The Carlisle Enchantment paddle I mentioned, at ~$170, is one of the better paddles for your money.  Similar paddle will run you $200 or more.  While I personally use a top of the line carbon fiber paddle ($$$), I don't really really recommend them as the incremental performance you may get out of them is not appropriate to the money you'd spend on them.  They are nice however, so if you got the scratch and are into top of the line, by all means, look into them.

-Allen

Ouch, I might have to just get another hobie paddle, there cheap as..

Or win one in one of the derbies this year!!!

-Allen

Or win one in one of the derbies this year!!!

-Allen

Hmm, targeted finishing spots for gear that i need, great idea.

I'll just have to hide some fish, cause no paddle is in first place...

Ouch, I might have to just get another hobie paddle, there cheap as..

I'll sell you these for $49.50

Ouch, I might have to just get another hobie paddle, there cheap as..

CBY I have a nice carbon Canon Wave paddle for sale, brand new.. $60
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=1591.0

Z

Ouch, I might have to just get another hobie paddle, there cheap as..

CBY I have a nice carbon Canon Wave paddle for sale, brand new.. $60
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=1591.0

Z

CBY - this looks like a good deal. Z - how tough are the carbons compared to fiberglass?

B.L.,

I've gone through a progression of lighter and lighter weight paddles over the years as I've stayed with the sport.  I guess after I've gone for any particular spell without picking up any new toys recently, it gets easier to justify picking up yet a better paddle than the last one.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is the obvious fact that paddle weight per dollar spent follows kind of an inverse hyperbolic curve.  That is, the more weight that is shed off of the paddle that you want to buy, the quicker the price seems to go up, faster and faster.  The more important thing that I haven't seen mentioned is why that expensive but light paddle just might be worth the money.  Over at a site called AustinKayak (.com, of course) they explain it like this:  if you were to do maybe 1,000 paddle strokes today on a long long trip with a paddle that weighs 32 oz, then you had to lift a total of 2000 lb out of the water today (1000 strokes X 2 lb).  If you're on a much shorter trip, then a heavier paddle won't wear you out near so much.  Or if you could shave 10% off of that paddle weight, you should (in theory) be 90% as worn out.

I've got 4 paddles now, having climbed steadily up that price curve as I've gone on.  I still use my old fiberglass paddle for river trips like you're talking about, so it won't cost near so much if it gets banged up.  But I absolutely don't regret buying my "Werner Bending Branches Camano Carbon Composite Straight Shaft" paddle for longer trips or long ocean fishing days.  Check out that paddle selection discussion over at Austin Kayaks... it sounds like just what your asking for.  I've certainly got not vested interest in steering you their direction, but I did feel like I got a decent price on an internet purchase paddle from them.

Fishin-T

CBY - this looks like a good deal. Z - how tough are the carbons compared to fiberglass?

Carbon is like steel and won't flex at all like fiberglass does. Personally, I like the flex. Spot pointed out it has something to do with a surfing background since surfboards flex and snap back.. just like I like my paddles. So the carbon one has to go.

Z

What are the blades made of on that Wave paddle?  Doesn't look like carbon.  I suspect the shaft is stiff (and light), but the blades flex.

-Allen

What are the blades made of on that Wave paddle?  Doesn't look like carbon.  I suspect the shaft is stiff (and light), but the blades flex.

-Allen

Composite material. Not a bad deal for an $80 paddle.
http://www.cannonpaddles.com/wave.html

Z

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is the obvious fact that paddle weight per dollar spent follows kind of an inverse hyperbolic curve.  That is, the more weight that is shed off of the paddle that you want to buy, the quicker the price seems to go up, faster and faster.  The more important thing that I haven't seen mentioned is why that expensive but light paddle just might be worth the money.  Over at a site called AustinKayak (.com, of course) they explain it like this:  if you were to do maybe 1,000 paddle strokes today on a long long trip with a paddle that weighs 32 oz, then you had to lift a total of 2000 lb out of the water today (1000 strokes X 2 lb).  If you're on a much shorter trip, then a heavier paddle won't wear you out near so much.  Or if you could shave 10% off of that paddle weight, you should (in theory) be 90% as worn out.

Incomplete theory on this one.  Wouldn't the water pressure on the blades account for the majority of the effort being expended?

Also 90% as worn out, but you're still lifting 1800 lbs of paddle, right?  But you're probably pulling much more of that in weight due to the water pressure on the blade face.

A light paddle does come in handy when doing 1 handed paddle stroke adjustments ... when holding a rod in the other hand!!!

-Allen