Choosing Paddle Length

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careybirdwell
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Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 4:47 pm

Choosing Paddle Length

Post by careybirdwell »

Hello, I am a newbie to Kayaking and have recently purchase a used Emotion Mojo Angler 12.5'. I have been researching everything and trying to learn before I hit the water. I have been researching paddles and I have narrowed it down to a inexpensive composite paddle. On most sites, it seems to recommend a 230-240cm paddle for me, but on Bending Branches site, it recommends a 250-260 for me. I'm 5'9" and my kayak is 31" wide. My plans are to just use is lakes & bays. Any suggestions??? Thanks
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kickingback
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Re: Choosing Paddle Length

Post by kickingback »

My suggestion is to try out a 240 and a 280 and see which feels better in your yak. Depending on how much gear you load in your yak and how low the yak rides in the water fully loaded you want the paddle to hit water on the down stroke with ease and the best way to find it is to test it out I found. If it is in the middle then go with a 260. You wil never know unless you try them.
You can test your stroke with each and feel how it propels you. My thoughts only.
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Flatfish
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Re: Choosing Paddle Length

Post by Flatfish »

Don't overthink it. How long do a man's legs need to be?

Long enough to reach the ground.

Go to Academy and buy a cheap kayak paddle, it will be adjustable, click it out until it dips into the water deep enough for a good deep stroke.

Spray it liberally with a lubricant but still, put a dog leash on it because eventually it will lock up with the salt as will the dog leash, still they will be married for life because if brother you drop your paddle in a strong tide, you are screwed if it is not leashed to your boat.

Start cheap and you will never go to a "Bending Wallet" paddle, they all lock up in time given enough salt.
texnomad
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Re: Choosing Paddle Length

Post by texnomad »

I am 68" and on my 31 inch yaks I found a 230 to be just right. I tend to use an upright stroke. 240 was also good. I tried a 220 and it was too short. After using cheaper paddles and $$$$$$$ paddles, I found that the paddles Academy has for just under $100 have been my preferred choice. You get something for the slightly higher price but going up to the big price paddles for my fishing and short distance paddling has not been good value. I do need to mention that blade width has a lot of effect for me. Too wide and my arthritis kicks in big time. Too narrow and it seems to waste strokes. I compare blades when shopping and try to get a mid width blade.
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