Bent Shaft or Straight Shaft?! How to Size a Canoe Paddle

Рет қаралды 8,678

Күн бұрын

#canoeinstruction #canoepaddle
Ever wonder how to properly size a canoe paddle? Had a bit of rain so we set up at Canoe Camp to show you how to size a canoe paddle and what considerations might help you narrow down to the right length for your canoe.
The part of the paddle we are referencing for measurement is where the shaft meets the blade on the paddle. This helps us not factor in the blade length. When I use a beaver tail paddle (which has a long blade) I use a much longer paddle (60” or 63”) because so much of that length is in the water.
I’m about 6’ tall but have long legs. I like a slightly longer straight paddle for when I’m kneeling in higher positions.
This is by no means an absolute rule. I have taller friends than myself who like shorter paddles.
I’m a perfect world, you can hopefully have a nice little quiver of paddles to match the feeling and canoe you are using that day!
#happypaddlin

Пікірлер: 15

@timmanion2197 11 ай бұрын

Super simple; super helpful. Great job! ‘Nuff said.

@HeadwatersKayak 2 жыл бұрын

Great overview.

@scottiebaldwin Жыл бұрын

Perfect! Exactly the info I needed for my Magic. Thanks again!

@rickquist3992 2 жыл бұрын

The single blade blade world is foreign to me, so I really enjoy this. I kick around the idea of giving it a shot...

@kristaps2010 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, makes more sense now. As a beginner in canoe I will choose traditional, straight. The question is what paddle type should I get- ottertail, beaver tail? or something like bending branches xpedition plus. I don’t have whitewater around, with kayak most have been slow moving rivers. Maybe Egalis Yampa.

@HappyPaddlin 2 жыл бұрын

I’d go with a Bending Branches Explorer, Java or Sunburst. The beaver tail/otter tail has a big following but the shade is more beneficial in deep water and wouldn’t be the first paddle I would own. I have them and use them when I want that “feel” but they are not as versatile or durable as the above for your first paddle. I also would not use them for my extended touring. For me, they are fun for casual artsy paddling. Get something that can knock around in rivers and be your primary do-all. Eventually you’ll have a quiver. I carry 2-3 paddles most timesI go out. Thanks for watching.

@JosephStealin Жыл бұрын

So the paddle should reach back to 1978?

@delkelso 5 ай бұрын

you know i'm surprised there aren't more paddling video's out there. this is the best i have seen so far on paddle length, but i still have questions. probably the only way to resolve the issue is to paddle different lengths, but it is kind of hard to borrow paddles for this when you mostly paddle by yourself. and i also wonder about paddling mechanics. if anybody has a link for a really good video on paddling mechanics, i would really appreciate a link.

@HappyPaddlin 5 ай бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pt-keLt_2byRgX0.htmlsi=v5u2_At3caaPGYQs

@HappyPaddlin 5 ай бұрын

Mechanics by the master: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hb5laqRhvKm5k4U.htmlsi=BM07TZnglbAtZqV6

@HappyPaddlin 5 ай бұрын

Yes, in the end, paddle length is a personal journey. Tell me your boat, height, sitting/kneeling position and size and I can make suggestions to start! :) 😃🛶

@delkelso 5 ай бұрын

thanks for the offer for guidance on paddle size. solo boat, northstar phoenix, 29" wide, equipped with seat raised to just below gunwhales, 9 5/8" from bottom of boat. height from seat to bridge of nose 33 5/8. height from seat to hairline 36 (kind of subjective?), my height 5, 8. in moving water with obstacles i paddle a 56 inch straight blade. in flat water i paddle with a double blade 220 cm (too short!) planning to transition to light weight bent shaft. planning to replace the 220 double blade with a lightweight 260. i paddle class 1 plus in Missouri / Arkansas Ozarks. have paddled whitewater after beginner and intermediate training. planning to paddle in the BWCA this fall. i am newly subscribed to your channel and will be watching your video's. would appreciate any insights / guidance / recommendations you would be kind enough to offer. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!

@HappyPaddlin 5 ай бұрын

@delkelso perfect information to give me a picture of what you are up to and your background. I mostly use a 58 inch straight for the same type of scenarios but I am about 6 feet tall . 56 inch sounds about right especially with your higher seat position and moving water. for a bench shaft, I think a 52 inch would be my recommendation. It would still give you the reach but still give the benefits of that tighter in stroke without as much strain on your upper hand’s shoulder. I rarely use a 54 inch bench shaft and also rarely use a 50 inch bench shaft. I’ll use a 50 if I’m low in a magic but that’s about it .I’ll use a 54 inch if I want to kneel in a higher position, and still use a bent shaft but that is rare. Typing this with voice to text, so if you’re confused, you can just give me a call. My number is on my website.

@SteveSmith-kc8rn 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all your informative videos! So a bent shaft is more for sit n switch type paddling while a straight shaft is more for correction stroke paddling?

@HappyPaddlin 2 жыл бұрын

Not at all! You can do J strokes and all of the other strokes w it except some of the inwater return strokes where the power face changes w each stroke. A bent shaft only has 1 power face. A straight has two bc of symmetry.