I've been doing some homework re: a new paddle to use with my new boat. I'm still not clear on a few things:
1) Why isn't there a good paddle for BOTH high and low angle paddling? It seems to be one or the other. I find myself alternating, especially on any distance paddle. Some instances call for a more high angle and in other instances low angle causes less stress. I understand you can use a low angle paddle at a high angle for a while. I've done that. It would seem harder to use a high angle paddle for low angle paddling. The ones I've tried (and liked) tend to almost automatically put you in a high angle position.
2) "Spoon"- I'm assuming that this it the "cup" shape in the blade, as the name indicates. Is this simply to plant the boat further so one can pull through the water faster? Does having a more pronounced spoon increase cavitation? (I hope I'm using the term correctly- the little whirlpools that can form in the path of the paddle?) Couldn't a deep spoon cause the paddle to grab in confused currents?
3) shorter vs longer shaft- Shorter seems to cause me to paddle faster and higher angle. Longer shaft lower and more sweeping. How does one determine middle ground (OR should one even consider middle ground?)The paddle length tutorials on various web sites lead me towards high angle and shorter...
4) Then there are the multi length and multi feather paddles. Do these really work? Would you really have time to make the adjustments?
5) For open water paddling what is best?

Could someone direct me to a few good web sites or articles that will help me out?

Deb, IMHO paddle "design" is yet another area of needless obfuscation and overkill that threatens to envelope sea kayaking. I think every manufacturer thinks that they can best survive by creating endless "niches", convincing people that such niches are meaningful, and convincing them that they need to worry about whether or not they have "right" paddles.

I've found that a 220-cm paddle with narrower blades, a take-apart, the lightest that one can afford, that you can paddle feathered or unfeathered, will do whatever job needs to be done. I've never worried about low-angle, high-angle, paddle length, cadence, whatever. My 220-cm Swifts (regular and spare) do it all, year in, year out, wide boat, narrow boat, smooth water, rough water. Beware of people trying to make this stuff more complicated than it really is (or needs to be).

Deb, I think in the end it is going to be a personal choice that feels right to you. I've tried a number of paddles and even built my own, but I'm not sure there is one paddle that is perfect for every occasion.

As I have probably said before on this site, I settled on a 230 Sevylor Fiber Pro for my number one paddle, but sometimes I switch to one of the others, just for a change.

I definitly like a paddle that has infinite feather capability. And I prefer a bit wider blade with moderate spoon as opposed to the longer skinnier blades that are recommended for cruising.

Right now, I'm in the process of building a GP. I've got a little more carving to do and it will be ready to sand and finish. I'm going to have to decide whether to glass it, or not. It seems a bit too flexible, but I might put a finish on it and try it before I glass it, to see if it's worth the trouble.

If I were starting from scratch and money didn't matter, I'd probably concentrate on Swift and Werner offerings. An old guy told me a long time ago that there is no secret to the "best", it just costs money--lots of money.

Thanks Gentlemen,

I'll contact my dealer (who sells Swift) to see if I can use a demo paddle for our Sunday outing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Swift will even do a custom paddle for me with material I have found that coordinates with my new boat.

While coordinating with my boat is a consideration(its a girl thing), I will not be deciding on a paddle with that being a basic criteria. There is always carbon, basic black goes with everything.;)

Good luck on your GP, Magooch. I have used two different ones by different artists. (I call them artists because the design and woodwork in both paddles was beautiful and functional). One had more problems with "butterfly" than the other. The other I actually was able, after some practice and concentration, to paddle without any butterflying.

I used the storm paddle too. That was interesting... could see where it would be very handy in narrow creeks and in mangrove tunnels as well as open water blustery weather. Sturdy, short and versitile.

The ones that I've tried were not glassed, just finished. I was told do not glass. It is preferred not to glass any wooden paddle (by the purists).

what do you mean by "flexible"? Too much flex in the wood itself, or it feels that way when your paddling?

deb

I mean that it flexes--it should be stiffer. I could add a spine to the back sides of the blades, but then the added weight might not be so good.

Anyway, I've started applying the finish, so I"ll be trying it out pretty soon. I'm sure it won't be my main paddle, but it might be interesting to play with.

I've looked at a number of different GP paddles and there seems to be a variety of shapes. I chose a bit more blade than some of them I"ve seen, but I can always cut it down if it feels like too much. The blades are just shy of 29" long by 3 1/8" wide. and they are straight--not tapered.

The taper is the thing that I don't get. Some I've seen are tapered from shaft to the end and some are the reverse of that. Some are straight cut on the end; some are rounded. I rounded mine.

The thing is an elegant looking piece, if I do say so. I used Tennessee Red Cedar for the shaft and core and added Koa strips to either side of the core to form the blades. I left the shaft at about 1 1/2" for a more relaxed grip.

Deb,
I don't know if you subscribe to our e-newsletter or not. A while back we asked a panel of paddle designers some of the questions you posed to the group. The series might be worth reading.

The e-newsletter archives can be found at http://www.seakayakermag.com/articles_REVIEW-E.htm
The 3 part series can be found in the May, June 2007 and February 2008 newsletters.

Awesome Info!!!!! Thanks Mike! Best of all, they discribe it so I can understand it. (Simple things for simple minds). I also signed up to recieve the newsletter.

Paddled with the Swift Mid-Swift 220. Liked it very much. Would have the custom fabric paddle on order now if it were'nt for home improvement disasters...we paid off the house this year and thought we could have fun with the extra money, but now, we don't even finish one project before the next one comes along!

Oh, well. Sorry about the venting. We STILL paddle almost every weekend (maybe that's why the projects take so long)