im contemplated a bent shaft paddle for my flat water touring that i inted to do more of with my new boat
any recommendations as to type, value for money, durability, construction etc
also maybe i should just get a good ottertail instead?
comments please
andy
The Grey Owl bent shaft range are good and they start at a reasonable price, very light durable and with a resin tip wish I had never sold mine.
I have one of the new hard wood shafted Whiskey Jacks here, not bent that's coming but the new one features the same hard wood as this so it should be good.
I will go and find a pic of my old GO bent great touring paddle.
I'd go for the 'Ottertail'
narrow blade = lots of repetitions, but easy on the arm/shoulder/back
Bent Shaft = good for extending the 'power' phase of the stroke; but wide blade = less repetitions, but increased impact on arm/shoulder/back.
I've not really used a 'bent shaft' paddle for any distance, but I think they are more suited to the 'sit & switch' style and tandem crews.
The Grey Owl bent shaft paddles are really good, I used Gavs for a time and really liked it although it was a little long for me so I have ordered a shorter one from Graeme @ YC, just waiting for it arriving, as with the canoe
The paddles you are looking at are both really different in how they paddle; The otter tale is a pleasure to paddle with (Grey Owl Chieftain or Sagamore) and very easy going, a great cruiser. The bent shaft is great when the conditions worsen or as Matt says for tandem paddling. I really like the bent shaft and was sorely disappointed with the quality of the Whiskey Jack so will stick with a brand I trust now. I reckon once you use one you will always want one with you.
this may sound stupid but whne i read about bent shaft it says sit and switch
is this just because thats how marathon paddles use it sitting or is it just as good with kneel and switch or am i missing something and it is best used for sitting?
just a thought.
(20-05-09 09:46 PM)andym Wrote: [ -> ]this may sound stupid but whne i read about bent shaft it says sit and switch
is this just because thats how marathon paddles use it sitting or is it just as good with kneel and switch or am i missing something and it is best used for sitting?
just a thought.
'sit & switch' is just a style I don't see why you couldn't 'kneel & switch'.
Some of our north american cousins will fit a foot bar across the inner hull to pressure whilst sitting on the seat as opposed to kneeling - this gives the paddler a point of contact with the boat as this paddling style is used a bit more energetically than the common cruising styles.
Just let me have your existing paddle, i'll bend it for you no problem me ole mucka
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While we are on the subject of bent paddles, I have a question. Grey Owl do a couple of different bent shafts - 14° and 12°. What's the difference (other than 2°, or one is more bent than the other)? Or, better, why the difference?
I fancy getting one, but notice there is a price difference between the two.
Biff
Biff, the picture of my old one is the cheapest in the Grey Owl bent shaft range.
Andy if you where to go for only one paddle I would go for something like a Grey Owl Guide enough surface area for good drive, but it can still do the deep water bit too.
But really as Lee said you could do with one of each, I would go for a cheaper bent shaft and spend the real money on either a GO Cheiften or Sagamore, mind you I was looking at a rather nice Redtale otter tale in Graemes the other day, I think Grizzly has one too can't remember its name but it looked like a fine paddle for the money.
(21-05-09 06:41 PM)Retro Wrote: [ -> ]Biff, the picture of my old one is the cheapest in the Grey Owl bent shaft range.
Andy if you where to go for only one paddle I would go for something like a Grey Owl Guide enough surface area for good drive, but it can still do the deep water bit too. But really as Lee said you could do with one of each, I would go for a cheaper bent shaft and spend the real money on either a GO Cheiften or Sagamore, mind you I was looking at a rather nice Redtale otter tale in Graemes the other day, I think Grizzly has one too can't remember its name but it looked like a fine paddle for the money.
Good advice there - thanks.
I think I can see a "Can you have too many Paddles?" thread coming on.
Biff
(21-05-09 07:24 PM)Biff Wrote: [ -> ]I think I can see a "Can you have too many Paddles?" thread coming on.
Get it fired on Biff
I have some good replies to a thread like that.
A 12 degree bend is just a little more relaxed than a 14, the top grip will be a little closer to you and you can pull a slightly longer, slightly less efficient but slightly less intense stroke. When I say relaxed though it's still 12 degrees away from what I'd call relaxed!
Personally I can't stand bent shafts, swapping sides every few strokes is a little too much hassle when all I want to do is chill out and enjoy the view and I've yet to hear a bent shaft sing any sort of song I'd like to hear.
Get a nice ottertail, and remember he who finishes first spends less time on the water.
Gotta go throw kids at water. (some days I love my job!)
(22-05-09 06:10 AM)saarlak Wrote: [ -> ]Personally I can't stand bent shafts,
I take it you won't be adding any to your range of bespoke paddle options then?
(22-05-09 06:10 AM)saarlak Wrote: [ -> ]Personally I can't stand bent shafts, swapping sides every few strokes is a little too much hassle when all I want to do is chill out and enjoy the view and I've yet to hear a bent shaft sing any sort of song I'd like to hear.
Get a nice ottertail, and remember he who finishes first spends less time on the water.
I've only ever used a bent shaft once, just after completeing my 2*. Graeme (of Yorkshire Canoes) lent me his to try - probably a Whisky Jack. Using a J-stroke was very, very easy, and for little effort, the canoe flowed along like a dream. No switching needed. Very relaxing.
You'd only need to switch if you were to use them for what they were originaly designed for - marathon racing, where you wouldn't bother with a steering-stroke.
Each to his own - it doesn't matter what you paddle (with), so long as you paddle.
Biff
The bent shaft works well when paddling distance as your not lifting as much water at the end of the stroke so you don't fatigue as much. To be honest I never switched with mine, but reached for it when the wind got up. It also works well when doing a short stroke over a distance this is similar to what marathon racers do.
I can see how it would appeal to a tandem pair covering big distances
