Author Topic: best/better travel paddle?  (Read 7306 times)

deepmud

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best/better travel paddle?
« on: December 08, 2016, 05:19:00 PM »
I have a Blue Planet 3-piece carbon fiber paddle - I like it, it's strong, I put LOTS of pressure on it and it seems to grip the water pretty well - but I wonder - what else is out there? I paddle 100% flatwater. I only have one pretty terrible paddle to compare it with, an aluminum shaft/clear blade something or other I got to break on river rocks - lucky that plastic flexes a lot so it's not broken yet. I bent the aluminum shaft just paddling lake water the first day I used it - it's a booger to take apart now.

Looked at KeNalu Hanu - is this fully compatable with their other blades? It seems to good to be true .
http://kenalu.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=53

If it comes with a the xtuf or xtuf(s) shaft, the ready-to-use Hanu is cheaper than the xtuf and ergo handle (or classic T) by themselves - and it would seem to be compatable with the blades? am I right?  Because it seems like "premium paddle on the installment plan" :D - that I could spend another $100/$150 on a factory2nd blade later and upgrade in the "$hock your wife in installments plan" :D.

I figure get the  xtratuf(s) Hanu $165 and plan to find a good factory 2nd later maybe?

Will I notice the KeNalu is much better than the Blue Planet?  Lighter? I realize it's not as "break down" as the Blue Planet is, but I can live with seasonl or travel-only take-down via hairdryer. Partly - I worry I'll break the BP and be stuck with aluminum junk for weeks or a whole season  -  the cost of a Hanu and some 2nd blades will be in the ballpark of a replacement Blue Planet carbon travel paddle.

burchas

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2016, 07:03:19 PM »
deepmud,

you should look at this thread where I  reviewed my ZRE travel paddle:

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,29916.0.html

It sounds like the thing you're looking for.
in progress...

capobeachboy

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2016, 07:44:54 PM »
If you go with the KeNalu spend a couple more bucks and get the xTuf blade. 
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blueplanetsurf

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2016, 09:57:08 PM »
Hi deepmud,
I'm pretty sure the 3 piece Blue Planet paddle you have is the one you got for free with the inflatable board.  A Ke Nalu will feel better, it's a fixed paddle so it will be lighter and have a better flex pattern as it does not have the bulky joints but like others have said, I would go with at least an XTuf blade.  The Honu blade is injection molded plastic which is ok for beginners but will flex more and is not as efficient.  I have seen the photos you posted of you paddling and it looks like you pull pretty hard, so you should probably get the XTuf (S) shaft or even the carbon 100. 
If you can afford to spend a bit more, that ZRE looks like a really nice paddle and our Kai Zen 3 piece paddle is a very good paddle but also more pricey.  A good paddle makes a big difference though and totally worth it if you use it a lot.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2016, 10:02:01 PM by blueplanetsurf »
Robert Stehlik
Blue Planet Surf Shop, Honolulu
Hawaii's SUP HQ
http://www.blueplanetsurf.com

deepmud

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2016, 10:28:55 PM »
Yes Robert - my best paddle is your Freebie :D


And you're correct about my budget - I've pushed my "fun budget" for the year with my $1k or so on the Red Elite.

I mostly like the Honu becuase it seems to be a "package"  that brings in the Xtuf and handle in at a price that makes the Honu blade nearly free - and I do have rivers to paddle too. Seems like a great way to get started - and maybe then get a factory 2nd "good blade" - likely in an Xtuf version.  The multi-piece /swapablity of the Ke Nalu appeals to me.

I wish I was ready to pull the trigger when the Kai Zen was new (and cheaper :D) . If I ever chance to try a crazy trip like the full length of the Yukon (I've been considering that as a once in a lifetime dream )  I'd get that to make the 1 million stokes a bit lighter times a million :D

I will read up on the ZRE too.

Thanks.

Erik

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2016, 11:34:36 PM »
The 3-piece Quickblade Trifectas and V-Drives are absolutely superb. They must be towards the top of the tree - or maybe top - as regards travel paddles. However they are also top of the tree in terms of cost, and they are not adjustable. So it all depends on your budget and priorities...

seadart

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2016, 08:29:22 PM »
If you are really buying it as a travel paddle I have learned some lessons traveling for paddle sports. (1)  Airlines can and will break anything that is in special cases or board bags.  Make sure you can easily pack your travel paddle in your normal checked luggage.  (2) Light and well designed carbon paddles are best for common use but if you find a fiberglass paddle that fits in your luggage and you are not racing or paddling long distances, go with the fiberglass paddle.  It's more likely to take abuse, and paddling in surf breaks in far off places you are much more likely to hit something, or have something smash your paddle. (3) Also if it is stolen ( a not so unlikely event when traveling) it won't be as big a bummer as having a really nice carbon paddle disappear.

deepmud

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2016, 08:41:00 PM »
So far, travel means either rolled IN or stuff in along side the iSup in the big bag. Might have to be carry-on if the total weight in the bag pushes past 50 pounds.

Looking at the links - KeNalu - (hair-dryer hotglue to take-down for travel)  - Hanu Xtuf(S) with Ergo Handle is 165.00 . Xtuf Molokai blade is 107.00 - so 272.00 with a "spare" Hanu blade.
Ke Nalu - 272.00. -


ZRE - burchas' review makes it look like a great all around paddle - real travel paddle - no hot glue- the Zaveral site didn't list that paddle, but I'd assume more than the 399.95 for the cheaper of two Sup paddles listed - so - more than $400 I would guess. Normal premium paddle price.


Kai Zen from Blue Planet - (hair-dryer take-down) - $449 - also premium paddle price

Blue Planet carbon-fiber travel-paddle - I have it already :D but to compare - they are $250. Came with a nice travel bag too.

Given these choices - I think my next paddle may be a KeNalu Hanu, upgraded to a Molokai soon or at that time.

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2016, 03:57:29 AM »
I have this combination from KeNalu. It is light and well built.


spirit4earth

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2016, 01:51:34 PM »
Have you looked in to the Werner Trance?

Quickbeam

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2016, 04:56:03 PM »
Have you looked in to the Werner Trance?


Hello C. How are you? Haven’t seen you on this site for a while??? Thought you might be in Canada by now (ha! ha!).

And to the O.P., as Spirit suggests, the Werner Trance, in the three piece adjustable is a very nice travel paddle.
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Dusk Patrol

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2016, 12:14:23 AM »
I'll put in a vote for travelling with a one piece. I like having my familiar and lightweight paddle. I'm curious if anyone has had one damaged in transit?
I have yet to have any airline damage one. Maybe because they are light and in a padded (Dakine) bag. Maybe because they are light they don't push any aggro buttons with baggage handlers? It's just a matter of the slight inconvenience of going to oversize baggage drop off, then waiting for the oversize baggage at the other end.  And schlepping the extra bag around. And explaining to people "no its not a fishing rod"...
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Off-Shore

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2016, 03:24:37 AM »
I'm with you Dusk Patrol. I've travelled to Bali, the US, UK, Australia and Sri Lanka from Hong Kong with a one piece light carbon paddle and never had an issue. You are right it does require waiting at oversize luggage to get it but that is a small inconvenience to pay for having your favourite paddle with you. My paddle bag can actually fit 3 paddles in it and so often I will travel with my wife and sons one piece paddles in my bag.
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deepmud

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #13 on: December 12, 2016, 01:09:39 PM »
Have you looked in to the Werner Trance?

I know the brand from my kayaking days - but the blade seems long to me - like it would require an extra-deep stab to fully engage and avoid dragging bubbles in behind the blade? Most SUP blades seem fatter/wider/shorter?



Re: Traveling with full length, one piece paddles  - if I had a full length "real" sup, a full length paddle would be less of an issue - but I only have (only can deal with right now) iSups - they roll up and stuff in big backpack. I'm willing to live with heavier travel paddle as long as it's strong and has a good blade design. However - for historical purposes (for people searching the site at later date) - please keep making your thoughts and  your opinions known even if I seem to act like this doesn't apply to me.  :D It helps us newbies who spend hours and hours searching the site for tidbits of information. I appreciate the input very much.

Re: Ke Nalu travel paddle - I couldn't find this model on Ke Nalu's website? I've seen that in a thread somewhere in there before. Less hair-dryer time! Looks great for the frequent trips to the lake while everything fits into my diesel Bug too.

Erik

viatormundi

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Re: best/better travel paddle?
« Reply #14 on: December 12, 2016, 01:39:36 PM »
Have you looked in to the Werner Trance?

I know the brand from my kayaking days - but the blade seems long to me - like it would require an extra-deep stab to fully engage and avoid dragging bubbles in behind the blade? Most SUP blades seem fatter/wider/shorter?



Re: Traveling with full length, one piece paddles  - if I had a full length "real" sup, a full length paddle would be less of an issue - but I only have (only can deal with right now) iSups - they roll up and stuff in big backpack. I'm willing to live with heavier travel paddle as long as it's strong and has a good blade design. However - for historical purposes (for people searching the site at later date) - please keep making your thoughts and  your opinions known even if I seem to act like this doesn't apply to me.  :D It helps us newbies who spend hours and hours searching the site for tidbits of information. I appreciate the input very much.

Re: Ke Nalu travel paddle - I couldn't find this model on Ke Nalu's website? I've seen that in a thread somewhere in there before. Less hair-dryer time! Looks great for the frequent trips to the lake while everything fits into my diesel Bug too.

Erik

The KeNalu shaft I have is this one http://kenalu.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=56. I complemented it with a handle and Ho'oloa blade I had extra lying around.

 


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