Need help choosing a paddle

[JP]

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[David Chenault]

The old Sawyer was known for being not so durable. You think you won't do whitewater so it won't matter, but you'll probably tend to get drawn into the class II+, low-volume creeks and river which packrafts excel at, and which are hard on paddles. Alpacka redesigned the blade/shaft junction a few years ago, and I haven't heard many reports of how that worked out.

The adjustable length and feather of the Sawyer is a very attractive feature, as is the more compact 5 piece design. The main thing I dislike about my Werner is that the longer shaft piece is 27 inches long; just long enough to be something of a nuisance in smaller packs. No question that the Werner touring paddles are stiffer and more efficient than the Sawyer, and my Shuna has stood up to a ton of abuse with no issues.

[David Chenault]

My Shuna is 210 and it's been fine on both class IV and two hour flatwater paddles. I think the long paddle thing is a vestige of the old boats with lower seats.

[James Marco]

"… I think the long paddle thing is a vestige of the old boats with lower seats."
To some extent this is likely true. But of greater importance is the distance of the point of entry from the center line of the boat.This "ratchets" the boat off course. A 9'6" paddle (around 290cm) moves my 12' canoe about 10-15 degrees off course. With a a shorter 220cm paddle it only wanders about 5 degrees. (The boat also has a flat keel making it track good-excelent in flat water lakes and streams.) In both cases I sit on the bottom of the canoe.

Generally, your seating only effects the entrance of the paddle into the water, whether it is deep or shallow. A deep stroke will often "windmill" the paddle. This may cause wind interference, good and bad depending on your direction of travel. It generally avoids larger waves (with the paddle pulling free suddenly in a wave) but can also "catch" as you try to free the paddle for the next stroke in wildly rocking boats, exacerbating the roll. It also lets you use part of the shaft for more power (like Inuit paddles.) Usually you will not encounter these conditions in a packraft. I am not comfortable with 3-4' waves.

A shallow stroke is just below the water's surface. Generally used for touring paddles and long distance paddling, it requires less effort, less windmilling, and greater control.

In white water or short boats (like a packraft) a shorter paddle allows faster movements. Important in whitewater. It also does not rachet the boat off course.

[David Chenault]

Yep, like Moby Dick I'm just about everywhere. Have fun with the new boat!

[BlackHatGuy]

I have a friend who is going to buy 10-foot kayaks for himself and his wife. He's looking to get a mid-range set of kayak paddles. He'll be using the kayaks in the lakes and rivers in Michigan.

From other threads here, it seems the Aqua Bound Manta Ray paddles might fit the bill. Any other/better suggestions? I know nothing of kayaks and paddles.

Thanks.

[BlackHatGuy]

Josh, did the Shuna's work out for you? Would you buy differently if you did it again?

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