What's in a paddle......

[nala]

The paddle is as important as your kayak.......
Its like putting a motorcycle engine in a lorry,it'aint going to work if it's not the right one for you.
I sold my sit in canoe some years ago along with the paddle.........what a mistake that was.
I've yet to find a paddle that suits me and my kayak....
I presently use a 220cm Carslile glass shaft along with the blades...........not the best for the stony,rocky and concrete launches along the Menai.
A nice paddle though for sandy beaches which minimizes the wear and tear......
But,i purchased a standby paddle off the internet with tough polythene blades to deal with the Menai terrain.
Only draw back,shaft is aluminium,and for the size 224cm to me it's a heavy paddle.
But,it does takes the brunt of the rough launches...........and will sink if you let it.
Alas ! I have found a paddle that that'll give me the best of both worlds,light enough to go the distance and to take on the barnacle encrusted rocks..
It's the Lavika paddle,glass shaft and tough plastic blades...ideal...and it feels right.
Only one problem,it's out of stock at The Kayak Fishing Shack.
I ordered the 240cm length,but was sent the shorter version by mistake......i need the longer version.
So,im waiting in anticipation......... in the meantime i have to make do with what i have......
I was very tempted to go for something else,but i know i'd probably regret it......and cost me more too.
At present i have to take both paddles along,which is a bit cumbersome on the swapover.

[nala]

[BUDDY]

What kayak do you paddle as 240 is a long paddle.
People who have paddles so long have large kayaks like a big game.
The usual size for a sit on top usually use a 215 paddle.
Steve.

[nala]

Hi Buddy,
It's a Cuda 12 which is of similar size to the Big Game and not the lightest of kayaks...
But,it's great for me and i love the layout for fishing..
One thing i might do later is put a low bow rod rest (for 2 rods)...still have the rod butt(s) sitting in the tilted rocket launcher holders.
This will allow me to paddle more freely....
And this is where the Lavika paddle 240cm comes in,which is adjustable to shorten if necessary and incorporates a safety whistle.
I had a play on terrafirma with the shorter version which i did make contact with the hull whilst simulating the paddling.
This is happening most of the time whilst paddling with the present paddles...........they're a tad too short.
Hopefully,the Laviks 240cm paddle will be in stock soon.....

[izzetafox]

I have a 230 and a 240 on my Cuda 14. I get on ok with both.

The 230 is a Panenka Challenge all carbon touring paddle and is so light and for a price of around €180 from the Czech Republic it is great.
The 240 is a borrowed Werner Camano with much bigger blades. It really bites into the water and push you along a a good speed but does not suit me for longer distances.

Bothe blasé are more fragile than plastics but the weight and comfort far out weigh the fragility, I just have to be careful.

Terry

[nala]

With the punishment the Carslile has had it's a wonder the blades haven't snapped or split.....It's a good paddle though,but not the paddle for launching in the Menai Straits.

If i could put the blades of the other paddle onto the Carslile shaft ...now that would be good...

[izzetafox]

It should be possible. Any decent kayak shop should have the facilities to fit new blades.


Terry

[nala]

That would be interesting.....

Wouldn't that be cool if you could choose the shaft you wanted,and had the blades of choice fitted while you wait.

There's a business opportunity....

Great info' gents thank you..........the Lavika 240cm will hopefully be on it's way very soon.

Will give a report as soon as it arrives....and tested.

[philpot]

What you think could be a good business opportunity Alan is the normal way to buy a Lendal paddle direct from Lendal where you specify the shaft type, length, cranked or straight, the blade type and the shaft locking system. Superb paddles but there is a price to pay for both Lendal and werner paddles which doesn't come cheap but you only need to ask the owners of these paddles why they paid the price and for the most part, they would never want to change them for another.

I was very lucky to have been given the chance by Wet n Wild in Hull to test out 6 paddles in order to see which suited me, Lendal was the one for me and I bought a 220 cranked shaft with adjustable length handle and N15 nylon Nordkapp blades from our Buddy and love them. The cost new for carbon throughout was about £385 at the time which was too high for me and it tied in with Buddy selling his and moving over to the dark side with Werner full carbon

Phil

[nala]

Spent £170 on an AQUA BOUND Eagle Ray paddle.........will report when i get the chance to use it.