Hand paddles

In reading a batch of Mirage Drive vs. Propel threads, one gal back east said she solved the Hobie no-reverse issue with a Predator hand paddle. These look like very useful items to have on board a Hobie, but couldn't you just buy a ping-pong paddle and do the same thing? How many folks here carry a hand paddle?

I usually have my 1/2 paddle with the t-handle, so I will grab that if I have to reverse.

ummmm why would you waste your money when your peddle boat already comes with a two bladed paddle that will do the same thing?

ummmm why would you waste your money when your peddle boat already comes with a two bladed paddle that will do the same thing?

Because it's smaller, more convenient, and easier to use when you only need to back up a few feet.  I generally use my hands though.

Personally I don't see the need for em especially on a hobie. Use the double ended paddle to make adjustments and then you also have a backup in case the mirage drive/rudder etc fails. Not sure why you would need a mirage drive, a kayak paddle and a hand paddle.

A double ended paddle is going to be much easier to maneuver your kayak and you can choke up on one end to make sharper turns, something you can't do with a little hand paddle.

I was going to start a thread on this. When IHop and I were up at Big Creek Reservoir I was wishing I had a hand paddle. I was throwing a fly under some trees on the bank and found it would have been useful to get better positioning. With hand paddles you don't have to set your rod down. I was using my regular paddle one handed, but it is clunky and disturbs the water.

I don't want to lay out cash for one, and they look fairly simple to make. I was wondering if anyone had a pic of their DIY hand paddle to show off?

Looks pretty useful to me here, which was what made think ping pong:

As Lee mentioned, using your bare hands works surprisingly well in a pinch plus most of us have a pair 

I imagine a ping pong paddle would work just fine, or maybe one of those paddles that has the rubber ball and string attached

I tried my tennis racquet but propulsion was sub par...


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Before I started pedaling instead of paddling, I used an over sized wooden ping pong paddle (squash paddle?) to make adjustments in position. Its easier to use than the regular paddle for small changes and it'll get you home in a push. It also doubles as the wood shampoo (fish whacker) when you use it on edge. Alot of folks have mastered the one handed paddle technique, but I haven't.


http://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=7603&Click=310393&gclid=CKi24snjuLACFQcEnQodMBRH7w

Turns out its good for going backwards in the Hobie too.

Or this,,,




which is just plain funny


http://www.rodoarpaddle.com/

and this .....



http://www.backwaterpaddles.com/

which looks dangerous.

Hand Paddle

Materials:

3/8" x 18" x 7" King Starboard
1 bmx bike grip
length of nylon cord or paracord

Tools:
scroll saw
belt sander w/80 grit
sanding block w/220 grit
drill and 3/8" bit
liquid soap
wax paper, pencil and Exacto knife


I laid out the handle on center at 1.5" x 5.5", if you have smaller hands you might go 1.25" wide. I allowed another .5" for some gooseneck and .75" at the right angle from there is the start point of the blade. I sketched the arc of the back edge of the blade on the board from the start point up to where I wanted the hook to start. I then transferred the pattern of the arc to the leading edge via the wax paper and Exacto. Sketch out the hook and the other two corners and cut with the scroll saw. Use the belt sander to remove excess material of both faces below the midline, shape the blade and plane the edges. Use the block and fine paper to smooth blade edges and face. Drill ya a puka in the end of the handle and knot your nylon cord. Use some mono to pull cord through the hole in the end of the bike grip. Lube handle and grip with soap, slide grip on, and stealthily paddle away. Finished weight, 1 pound 1 ounce.

Misc. Project Notes:

I was going to cut the backwards teeth on the tip like some of the commercially available hand paddles, but I think that's for clawing across tidal flats and pushing off of rocks and I don't see myself doing much of that. I left enough material I could cut them in later.

Those grips from Citybikes, are only $4/pair! I have had one on my bonker and another on my lawn mower for a while and they are durable. In the last photo I tried to show the blade shape using the shadow in front of the glass brick.

LB

That's pretty slick. Nice work!

That's pretty slick. Nice work!

+1 I like it.  What's the hook for?

 Must be so the fish don't get away