How important is paddle length?

[lookinnorth]

Just interested in everyones thoughts on paddle length. There are different ways of measuring for a paddle, toes to your nose, sitting depth while in the canoe, shaft length while sitting in a chair and so on.

But it seems many manufactures' make paddles in what seems like standard lengths; so after one measures for a paddle for themselves only to find they can't find one bang on,, do they pick the next size closest up, or down from their measurement? Some manufs. use  two inch increments in their paddles, some more.

If its out by a few inches (or more) is it really that important for recreational paddling/tripping or is it a matter of what just feels good. Some specialized canoeing may see the canoeist make their own to fit them, but I'm just interested in what folks think for the average paddler?

 

[Preacher]

Warning, topic rife with innuendo.

Vital.

While the ladies may disagree  shaft length is very important to me.  If it's too long it's unweildy and tiresome.  If it's too short it's akin to walking down stairs and the final step is taller than the rest, you end up reaching for the water.  The paddle must be the right fit according to individual preference.

Blade length is more of a situational deal for me.  Long & narrow ottertails suck large in shallows, but are awesome in deep water.

[Mike McIntosh]

As an O.R.C.K.A. certified paddling instructor and canoe tripping guide, I have a certain amount of light to shed on this subject.

Years ago, we used to have all kinds of tricks and techniques on how to size up a paddle.

Now, things have changed, in that we no longer recommend a specific guideline to paddle selection.
All I recommend is "whatever you are comfortable with"

Whenever I'm teaching a group, I always have a variety of paddles on hand.  We always discuss the construction, the parts of the paddle, etc... and invariably, the question comes up:  "How long should my paddle be"

A rough guideline I use is when the paddle is on your toe, the grip should fall between your chin and your nose.
From there, try one a few inches shorter, and then try one a few inches longer.

Depending on what type of canoe, and what type of water your paddling, a variety of paddle lengths may be required.

Clear as mud?

[canoehead]

My spare paddle is the longest I carry..good for poleing in the shallows..I will use any paddle that doesnt reach heights in which Im paddling over my head..we all have different arm length..I go by that..effective paddle movement while the paddle is in the water to push enough water with a good blade size

[littleredcanoe]

I don't go by Mikes measurements at all.

Compare two paddles of different shape and dimensions.

Both fit me. One is a 60 inch long Ottertail. The other is a 54 inch Grey Owl FreeStyle.  The longer one goes between toes and eyebrows. The shorter barely to my chin.

How come they both fit? The key is shaft length. Both have a shaft length of 33 inches. One has a long skinny blade(27 inches) and the other a wide short (21 inch long) blade.

I wish manufacturers sold by shaft length. Then only measurement that matters is the length from grip to throat where the blade starts.  The blade itself is in the water under the canoe.

Then you would worry about that length only if you are paddling in shallow water.

There can be a couple inches variance depending on your particular body mechanics and whether you are doing other things with the paddle like whitewater and standing, which require longer shafted paddles.

People often show up in class with their own paddles and we have a pile so they can go out and compare them side by side.  The best advice I think is to get your hands on as many sticks of shaped lumber as you can.

[lookinnorth]

Compare two paddles of different shape and dimensions.

Both fit me. One is a 60 inch long Ottertail. The other is a 54 inch Grey Owl FreeStyle.  The longer one goes between toes and eyebrows. The shorter barely to my chin.

How come they both fit? The key is shaft length. Both have a shaft length of 33 inches. One has a long skinny blade(27 inches) and the other a wide short (21 inch long) blade.

Specific paddle blades for different canoeing needs, shaft length remains the same,,,, does the square inch area of the blade have an effect on shaft length in regards to the amount of energy needed to perform the same stroke with two paddles with blades of differnet area ?

I wish manufacturers sold by shaft length. Then only measurement that matters is the length from grip to throat where the blade starts.  The blade itself is in the water under the canoe.

If I recall, in one of Gil Gilpatricks books on making ourdoor gear he touches on this in the paddle making section. He shows a jig made up that has a pre-set blade but the shaft length is measured in incremints up to a certian height. I believe he uses this to help aid his students in selecting a shaft length/paddle best suited to them.

There can be a couple inches variance depending on your particular body mechanics and whether you are doing other things with the paddle like whitewater and standing, which require longer shafted paddles.

For sure, when either in the stern or bow of a Monteral canoe I prefer and feel more effective paddling with a much longer paddle, agian, a specific canoeing situation.

The best advice I think is to get your hands on as many sticks of shaped lumber as you can.

 

[littleredcanoe]

does the square inch area of the blade have an effect on shaft length in regards to the amount of energy needed to perform the same stroke with two paddles with blades of differnet area ?

I think it may have to do more with shaft construction than length.  However long narrow paddles often have the same  square measurememt area (like cm squared) as shorter wider paddles. Shape determines how much turning you want from a paddle all other things being equal.

Anecdotally I would think that a really wide and long paddle would be a real ..be........it...(you  know) way to spend your days.

Longer blades and narrower blades, because they don't transmit turning forces well, are more efficient for the normal paddler.

Shaft length is a "you" length. The only difficulties I have found is in some home made paddles the shaft is too thin and the wood too brittle. I can paddle hard enough to snap them at the mid shaft.

[scoutergriz]

One method I use that's fairly accurate is to grab the grip with one hand and the shaft near the blade with the other, lift it horizontally just over your head and see if your elbows bend at 90 degrees. This will get you in the ballpark  , and then it's trial and error to find the perfect fit.
I do this with novice paddlers and it seems to work well as blade shape or length makes no difference 

[Preacher]

Yeah, overall length is useless.  There are two measurements that matter.  Shaft length & blade dimensions.

I find blade control to be much easier on long-narrow vs. short-wide paddles.  The short-wide paddles want to flutter through the water.  Same shaft length.

The 90degree method works well for me.

[littleredcanoe]

I find blade control to be much easier on long-narrow vs. short-wide paddles.  The short-wide paddles want to flutter through the water. 

No not necessarily. A warped blade will flutter. The rest is up to the paddler. It takes some time to get a clean slice pm recovery. Wobbling is again due to not being used to the wide blade. Any turning force is magnified because the edge of the wide blade is farther from the centerline axis.  It takes some hours to pay attention to attack and recovery angles and watching that there is no sweep component to the stroke.

Not everyone wants to practice paddling  every day though. It like a musical instrument really does require practice.  Watch kayakers. They spend hours on the forward stroke and rolls. Yet canoeists for the majority do not.

[AdventureCanoe]

I agree that it shouldn't be to long or to short. Tricks for sizing them up are interesting and plentiful. I like a 58 straight shaft unless I'm paddling from the middle of my Nova Craft Prospector...then I'd like it to be a little longer. Unfortunately, I don't have any longer paddles. When I do get my hands on one that I've borrowed from a buddy I like it. In the bow I can go a bit shorter than the stern. I think it's all up to feel and one should use whatever feels the best.

I don't think its as critical as fitting a pair of boots.

[Scary Mary]

I thought it was usually up to your chin. I've got ash cut for me which I want to make my own paddle. My neighbour planed it to about an inch & a half. I'll be doing the rest by hand but I'm looking forward to this little project!

[littleredcanoe]

The shaft length is what matters. Find out the shaft length that you need and leave enough ash for that. The paddle shape can be more tinkered with..Its OK to have a shorter Sugar Island type blade if there is not enough for an ottertail.

People say 54 and 56 and 58 without us knowing their torso length, seat height,  blade shape, whether seated or kneeling and if they are in whitewater.  Ergo the numbers are meaningless.