I order a new kayak paddle. blind.

[vash]

I have the crappy one Hobie gave me when I bought my kayak. it comes in one length...lets just call it "too short". they only have one size for most kayaks and a longer one for just their biggest boat. I think the handle is carbon fiber. I was rough on it. pushing off of rocks, docks and the occasional boat (sorry). and I stand up and paddle around inflicting maximum bending stresses on the thing. I makes cracking sounds now. and the drip collars are done, and I get wet. (I have a weird paddling form). my kayak has a pedal drive, but I fish the thick stuff and I paddle a lot. I pull my pedal drive up so it doesn't get tangled in the weeds. I leave the bass boats behind in clear waters.

the Ocean: I watched a few friends launch off of a beach, and it was intense. I wanted to see what I was getting myself into before I said, "let's go!". they sometime had to crank thru the surf. coming back in to shore looked like 5 seconds of terror, if I'm being honest. i think this is the scenario that will snap my suspect paddle.

well, I heard Rockfish and Lingcod are delicious. and expensive. not as expensive as the lingcod and rockfish I am going for. the gear I have purchased is funny. now I have a carbon fiber high(er) performance paddle on the way. this rockfish will work out to $258 per pound. haha..

I never knew there was such a variety of kayak/canoe paddles. you can spend hundreds..many hundreds. not entirely sure what a better paddle is going to get me. if focused on getting the right length mostly..and save some weight. I went middle of the pack, I think. I dont know.

you kayakers? your using a better paddle?

[ckissick]

I made my own Greenland paddle. I also made the skin-on-frame kayak, so why not make the paddle too. It's a very nice paddle. You can get the plans for the paddle at Cape Falcon Kayak. Of course, you need a wide range of power tools. You can crank one out using my tools in Half Moon Bay.

[masraum]

[Dantilla]

My wife was surprised I sprung for carbon paddles instead of aluminum.

When we were quite a ways down the lake, I asked if she wished the paddle was heavier.

Now she gets it.

[gacook]

I think ours are just the "normal" aluminum ones...nothing fancy or expensive. Never had an issue with them on lakes or rivers. Have only done "mild" white water.

[vash]

Originally Posted by ckissick

Of course, you need a wide range of power tools. You can crank one out using my tools in Half Moon Bay.

You don’t know my woodworking skills. I can’t even hear a table saw ramp up without sweating. Haha. But that paddle is so nice!

[vash]

Originally Posted by masraum

You just named my next kayak. Haha. I can’t tell you my current named boat w/o going over to the political forum. Haha.

[A930Rocket]

When we did white water kayaking, I used a nice custom-made Silver Creek paddle, made by a guy in North Carolina. A nice paddle makes all the difference. That and a good boat.!

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by vash

You don’t know my woodworking skills. I can’t even hear a table saw ramp up without sweating. Haha. But that paddle is so nice!

The vintage wooden paddle goes well with this: (I hadn't built the paddle yet.)