Paddle Design

[gh444]

So here goes, I am hoping to get a new paddle company off the ground. My initial thoughts are for these to be simply the best paddles on the market. Hand crafted, wood, some customization, and durable. Another route is to go after some high end composite material, which could also be customizable. Either way, the idea would be for these paddles to accompany the hairiest decends and the biggest moves.
I'm thinking two or three basic shapes/sizes and then costumize an number of features.

So, since its for you ladies and gents, what do you want?

Size/shapes/look/bent or straight/degrees/ect. ect.

-aaron

[MarsB]

So here goes, I am hoping to get a new paddle company off the ground. My initial thoughts are for these to be simply the best paddles on the market. Hand crafted, wood, some customization, and durable. Another route is to go after some high end composite material, which could also be customizable. Either way, the idea would be for these paddles to accompany the hairiest decends and the biggest moves.
I'm thinking two or three basic shapes/sizes and then costumize an number of features.

So, since its for you ladies and gents, what do you want?

Size/shapes/look/bent or straight/degrees/ect. ect.

-aaron

It would be great to have another strong paddle maker out there, especially in the composite world, especially with the loss of some good companies in the past few years (Lightning, Whetstone, Waterstick, etc., etc.) I'd love to have a paddle like my old Whetstone R1s. Similar to the Werner Sidekick in terms of construction and blade shape, but lighter, more durable and at a great pricepoint (the last one I bought retailed at $180 for full carbon straight shaft). It was, IMHO, the perfect paddle. I would like to see a bentshaft option, smaller shaft options for those with smaller hands, and custom feathers (I personally prefer less than the standard 45 degree). A 4-piece breakdown (I wouldn't bother with a two piece) option would be nice, too.

So when will my paddle be ready?

I actually am in the market for a new paddle, after a recent after-dark shuttle mishap caused me to lose both of my prized Whetstones.

[MarsB]

Anyone else? Help a maggot back with some constructive feedback. kayaktheworld? conumdrum? rootskier? storm11?

[kayaktheworld]

Hmm. Well, I can't really pretend to be an expert in paddle design. All I really know is that I like paddles that are bent shaft, 15-30 degree feather, and light. And I think wooden paddles are sweet.

I do happen to know someone who was involved with Lightning Paddles way back in the day and might be able to weigh in on this a little bit. I'll try to convince him to stop lurking and make a post in here .

[gh444]

thanks guys. i appreciate it and i'm starting to put some of this to sketches. The more info the better.

thanks again,
aaron

[Storm11]

I am also no expert in paddle design, but here's something that I look for in a paddle:
I want it to be light and powerful. I want instant power and lots of it, but I don't want it to be so stiff that it feels like death when I hit a rock. Give me something that is grippy and easy to hold onto (I like the H20 Paddles idea, though I've never actually held one). I think you definately need to offer both bent shaft and straight shaft options. I also think that it would help to be able to custom order what degree offset my paddle had, and to be able to mix different shafts with different blade designs. But most importantly, I want a paddle that is STRONG. I want a strong shaft, strong joints and a blade that doesn't wear fast.

[Conundrum]

I guess I can give you a pro/con to each paddle I've used (some I've used, some I just borrowed for a run) and maybe that could help.

AT2

Pros-great feel, like the foam core blade, forgiving shaft, best ergos for a bent shaft

Cons-expesnsive, breaks, had to wax

ATX

Pros-awesome blade shape for river running, nice dyhedral-no flutter, good surface area (power), the one I had seemed to have a skinnier shaft than the AT2 which was good for gloves, supple feel, seemed durable

Cons-expensive, smaller diameter shaft felt too small without gloves, had to wax

Werner Player straight shaft

Pros-durable, light, cheaper

Cons-smaller blade, don't like the feel of a glass blade compared to foam core, have to wax

Werner Sidekick bent shaft

Pros-durable, neutral shaft design, my favorite blade shape for a do everything paddle, big surface area, fairly light

Cons-don't like the feel of glass blades as much and the shaft took awhile to get used to, have to wax

Waterstick bent shaft

Pros-supposedly durable but I only paddled one for a day

Cons-weird shaft with shitty ergos, didn't like the purchase of the blade as much

AT3 Edge

Pros-cheap to get an AT

Cons-breaks, heavy

Werner Double Diamond bent shaft

Pros-light, foam core

Cons-would like to see a bigger blade, $$$$$$$$


My favorite paddle ever is my Werner Sidekick 197 RH 30 degree bent shaft. There are a couple things I would change but the positives far outweigh those. It is the most durable bent shaft I've ever had. I'm going on three seasons with it and I know I have had it in situations where other paddles would have broke. Plus, it's my do-it-all. If you are going truly custom, I would wait for the order and build to fit, ie offset, length, RH vs LH. You could also play with the downturn of the blade depending on paddler style and size...maybe even the type of boat the person has.

I think most importantly, you'll need the price to be good and the durability to last. Werner may not be the best feeling paddle in the world but they are obviously getting done in a world where paddle companies are going under (Lightning, Whetstone, Waterstick?), paddles have a reputation for breaking (AT, Seven2) and shitty warranty service (Seven2). Out of the paddles left that are easily attainable, you have Werner, Fluid, and H2O. The Fluid and H2O haven't been around long enough to have great reps but I've heard good things.

[kayaktheworld]

Fluid and H2O paddles are very popular in countries like New Zealand and Canada but not so much in the US yet.

AT and Werner seem to have the market pretty well cornered in the US other than the ocasional oddball who goes for the Mitchell or splurges for a Woody.

[Conundrum]

Fluid and H2O paddles are very popular in countries like New Zealand and Canada but not so much in the US yet.

AT and Werner seem to have the market pretty well cornered in the US other than the ocasional oddball who goes for the Mitchell or splurges for a Woody.

The schools around here use wooden Mitchells and seem to like them. No one has them for sale around here though. Woody looks cool but aren't they up there in price?

[MarsB]

The schools around here use wooden Mitchells and seem to like them. No one has them for sale around here though. Woody looks cool but aren't they up there in price?

Yeah, if I went wood I'd stick locally with a Snyder Jimistyx or a Backlund. Even with a locals discount, you are looking at over $400 - but these are completely custom; I'd think an off-the-shelf Mitchell would be less. Funny all the 30 degree offset fans here; that was what I had done on one of my Whetstones - which I consider my favorite paddle ever. I still don't see why 45 is considered the 'standard'.

If I had a Snyder, I would want to hang it on the wall. They are so beautiful, I would be paranoid of hurting it. Despite their looks though, they are super durable and Jim will gladly fix them any time for a minimal fee. Jim gets pissed if you don't use 'em hard! They ARE sweet paddles, I'm just not a wood guy.