• We apologize for the somewhat convoluted sign-up process. Due to ever-more sophisticated attacks by chatbots, we had to increase our filtering in order to weed out AI while letting humans through. It's a nuisance, but a necessary one in order to keep the level of discourse on the forums authentic and useful. From the actual humans using WCP, thanks for your understanding!

Paddle Recommendations?

M

Michael_Howes

Paddler
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
21
Location
Vancover, WA USA
Hello! I am about to buy a paddle for my newly constructed Tern 14. I'd like something light weight and mid-high angle... Any recommendations?

I am leaning toward one of the new Werner models and want to know:

1. Opinion on the bent shaft vs straight shaft.
2. What brands are of comparable quality?

Thanks!

-Michael
 
Welcome to the site Michael and congratulations on finishing your boat. I have Nimbus Auk and Kiska paddles (which are likely a little more low-end than Werner). From perusing other sites, Werner, Lendal, and Epic all appear to be well thought of. Lendal is manufactured (as far as I know) in the UK so that will add to the cost. If I had some money laying around this Epic paddle from ORS (available in carbon fibre as well if you have Richie Rich tendencies) in Victoria interests me.

A lot of the manufacturers are coming out with adjustable lengths and angle of feather which can make a great deal of sense in finding the exact right paddle for you as well as making them more usable by others. I prefer a smaller blade shape but I paddle more low angle than high and that is strictly personal preference.

Brad
 
Michael,

I've been using my 215cm Werner Shuna straight-shaft paddle in the Tern 14 so far and it seems well suited. It's a very light paddle and is very comfortable on long days on the water, and while they're not the cheapest paddles around I'm glad I bought it. If I were any taller I may opt for a slightly longer shaft, although the low depth of the Tern 14 seems to cause less deck-hitting than I experienced with the Romany Explorer, which is 1 1/2" narrower than the Tern. The splined ferrule system allows precise feather adjustment and no play whatsoever.

The blade on the Shuna is very thin, so if you're prone to using the paddle to push off of beaches or rocks, you may want to try something else instead. The blades are very stiff when used normally, but there is quite a bit of flex in a reverse stroke so I've learned to flip the blade backwards for reverse strokes.

I haven't tried a bent-shaft system for more than a few minutes but that's something I might like to try eventually. The only problem I've had with the Shuna is a peeling shaft sticker (which is a requirement to get the feather angle right), but Werner sent a new sticker set and it's been great ever since. A bit of electrical tape around the edges of the blades protects against scrapes, and looks good too.
 
Mark: Did you get the Shuna Carbon or Fiberglass? I've been eyeing the Cyprus too... I'll paddle a bunch of them this weekend and see how they fit. Thanks!
 
Mark_Schilling said:
The only problem I've had with the Shuna is a peeling shaft sticker (which is a requirement to get the feather angle right), but Werner sent a new sticker set and it's been great ever since.
Click to expand...
I've got a Bending Branches, Breeze Plus, with a telescoping carbon shaft that's also infinitly feather adjustable. I had the same problem with the feather adjustment sticker coming off. I've just written them for a replacement. Did you have much problem orienting the new sticker correctly?
 
No, just made a small pencil mark on the end of the shaft at the 'zero' mark and replaced the sticker.

The Werner is not actually 'infinitely adjustable'; it's a splined system so the two halves have to line up with a spline. I believe it's adjustable in 15 degree increments.
 
I'm almost finished with my Coho, and I want to make a wooden Greenland paddle out of strips (not a 2x4), but first I'll take a well-deserved break from sanding for a month or so, so I would like to buy the very cheapest store-bought paddle I can find that isn't a complete piece of garbage. Maybe it will end up as a spare. Any recommendations? Thanks!
 
I recommend the Aquabound Expedition AMT since i own one and i like it, very smooth paddle, good blade size for touring. a bit on the heavy side compared to the newer stuff to come out in last year or two. 36 or 38 oz.
I also own a Aquabound Tsunami that i picked up way cheap on a moving sale,great light big blade 'play' paddle but i think i'll be getting something with much smaller blades for touring ( the girlfriend has first dibs on the Expedition AMT) for 180 bucks or so the AMT series sell for, i think you get a great all around durable touring paddle.
My next paddle, if i end up buying new would probably be some sort of aquabound or nimbus.
Btw, "Kiska", one of the Nimbus models actually means "kitty'' in russian. just found it pretty amusing.
 
Michael_Howes said:
bought a paddle! So I test drove 5 or 6 different paddles and ended up settling (splurging) on:

http://www.wernerpaddles.com/paddles/kalliste.html

Didn't think I'd go with a low angle model or carbon fiber or bent shaft! But man, putting them all together with the new Tern 14 and HOLY CRAP! Mikey Likey!
Click to expand...

I totally concur…that is one nice paddle. My wife also has the BS Kalliste and loves it so much, in fact, that I’ve only been able to use it on a few occasions. :roll:

I recently took delivery of a 210 cm Grey Owl Harmattan. It has a carbon fibre shaft but still retains the warm look of wood in the blade. At 28 oz it should prove to be a pretty lively number and will also pair nicely with the Tern.

Harmattan.jpg
 
Nice looking paddle Art. Is that real wood in the blades, or is it fiberglass with the "look" of wood?
 
Thanks Pete. Most of Grey Owl’s kayak paddles start from a variety of woods which provide a combination of strength and beauty. The Harmattan uses a total of eleven laminations of cedar, bass and walnut. They incorporate a light layer of cloth for added strength and durability then finish the blades with several coats of varnish to give them a lustrous look. :)

http://www.greyowlpaddles.com/pages/kayak.html
 
Werner Ikelos

I've been using a 210 Ikelos with my Tern 14 and Coho for something over a year. Really like it.
I've used a friends 210 Cyprus which is another nice paddle. The Cyprus feels really precise.
I switched from a 218 Onno Full Tour which was just a tad long for my tastes. It is for sale and in really good condition. Lighter than the Werner, slightly smaller diameter shaft with very subtle indexing. TAP right hand 60 degree.
 
My Bad

Sorry Dave.
The Cyprus is Werner's foam filled version of the Shuna. It is to the Shuna what the Ikelos is to the Corryvrecken.
 
Re: My Bad

chodups said:
Sorry Dave.
The Cyprus is Werner's foam filled version of the Shuna. It is to the Shuna what the Ikelos is to the Corryvrecken.
Click to expand...

Actually that's not quite right. you can get a Corryvrecken in either a carbon foam core or fibreglass. I beleve the Ikelos and the Shuna are two different paddles.

That said I would not recommend a Corryvrecken unless you are a strong and fit paddler. It's big and powerful and moves a lot of water. But if you have poor mechanics it'll punish you. I have both the fibreglass and the foam core. The foam core is a dream. It has similar characteristics to a wooden paddle and is excellent through all support strokes. The foam core also has a bent shaft which is great as I don't have to concentrate on the entrance point with the paddle. The straight shaft glass version is my backup and was suppose to be the paddle of choice for rock gardening but the carbon has proven to be so tough that I almost never switch.

But get a Shuna foam core unless you are strong fit and have good mechanics, it's more forgiving.
 
glock

Glock said:

"Actually that's not quite right. You can get a Corryvrecken in either a carbon foam core or fibreglass. I beleve the Ikelos and the Shuna are two different paddles.


Close but no cigar, Glock. Check your specs. Both are available in both glass and carbon, no argument there.
However, a foam Corry is an Ikelos and a foam Shuna is a Cyprus.

http://www.wernerpaddles.com/touring.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top