Anyone out there tried bent shaft paddles before? They are supposed to make lake paddling much more efficient, because it keeps your paddle perpendicular to the canoe a lot longer than a regular paddle. I tried one last weekend, but it was so windy I had a hard time telling how well it was working.
Russ
Dang good question!
I was wondering about that myself?
Take care,
chris
My opinion! The bent shaft paddles are superior for
cruising. Making miles. But for fishing situations
I prefer a straight shaft paddle for manuevering my
canoes. Warm regards, Jim
I would think that a bent shaft would stay in place better then, a straight one when placed sideways accross your craft while battling the beasts of the deep.
chris
I have used bent shafts quite a bit but as Jim Hatch said, I find them best for straight line paddling. They are not designed for control strokes like a J-Stroke or Draw so they tend to be awkward when getting yourself into a good position while fishing. In this case I usualy prefer a traditional paddle like a beavertail design that I can keep my strokes real quiet.
-Erik
Thanks for the replies. As I said, it was so windy when I tried one that I had to constantly keep the boat pointing into the wind to get anywhere, and it was not easy to figure out what the paddle was doing. A traditional J stroke was worse than useless, though it took me a minute to figure out why.
It is good to know there is some equipment I don’t really need.
Russ in NC
Bent shaft paddles are supposed to be easier on your wrists and elbows minimizing joint problems by maintaining a more neutral position.
Straight shafted paddles vs. bent shafted paddles is strictly a matter of personal preference! If you have joint problems you will find that tthe bent shaft paddles are more comfortable. As a whitewater paddler I have used both but prefer the bent shaft. I can do all the strokes - the notion that the bent shaft limits or eliminates certain strokes is ridiculous! My suggestion is that you find a paddle you are comfortable with and go with it…each person is different!
The standard reason for the bent shaft is power. The bend puts the blade at the optimum angle during the most powerful part of your stroke keeping the thrust in line with “straight ahead” for the canoe. I use one for straight ahead cruising though I use a straight paddle when I find myself in the “guide” seat and have to do a lot of tweaking to position the craft. I should just learn how to do everything with the bent shaft.
I have only used a bent shaft for minutes once.
I was not favorably impressed.
What I do know is the Olmypic Whitewater paddlers use them.
Those Olympians are all fanatic about everything to save ANY time whatsoever!
So, there must be an advantage to the bent paddles. I just didn’t have time to get used to them, I guess.
Having spent much of the past 20 years as a wilderness canoe and fishing guide I almost always recommend a strait shaft paddle for fishing. Paddling with a bent shaft paddle changes all of the dynamics of paddling. To start with the bent shaft is designed for a short fast pace and the steering is done by the bow (front) paddler switching sides of the canoe. Whereas, the strait shaft is designed for slower paddling pace and the steering is done by the more tradition J-stroke and C-Stroke. A traditional strait paddle is also easier to scull with and maneuver the canoe while playing a fish.
Bottom line is. I have tried numerous bent shaft paddles and have several of them collecting dust in my garage but the paddle that makes everyone of my trips is a hand carved, cherry Ottertail design. The only time that you might catch my fishing with a bent shaft would be if my plans included 2 or 3 days of hard paddling and portaging to reach a remote part of the Boundary Waters or Quetico Park.
Bear742, I have to disagree with you! The main reason for the bent shaft (or neutral grip) design is not increased power. With that said, I do beleive that increased power may be a result of the design.
I cannot speak to which is better for fishing specifically, only to paddles in general. I have two bent shaft paddles of different manufacturers - two very different feeling paddles even though they are both bent shaft and the same size. It boils down to a matter of personal preference…use what you feel comfortable and confident with!
Take a look at two of the top brands websites and what they say regarding the reason for bent shaft designs. Werner paddles and AT paddles
Are we on the same page?
We started out here discussing bent shaft canoe paddles which cant the blade @ 30 deg from the axis of the shaft.
AT and Werner have bent shaft “ergonomic” kayak (double bladed) paddles. As a student of ergonomics, I agree with their take on bent kayak paddles. And it has nothing to do with power up front.
That is an interesting topic also.
I have used a bent shaft paddle for more than 20 years.
I first bought one for marathon canoe racing (Years ago I raced in a 70 mile canoe race a few times)
I use the bent shaft paddle for all of my canoe fishing.
It is a more efficient paddle than a straight blade paddle. With any paddle, when the blade is past perpendicular to the water, you are pushing the canoe down into the water and this results in increased fluid friction against the canoe. With a bent shaft paddle you achieve more upward force push/thrust and less downward force.
The J stroke is not an efficient stroke with a bent shaft paddle. However a flick of the wrist in the last half of a stroke is very useful for steering.
I have no trouble with draw strokes for quick maneuvering.
I only own a straight blade paddle to be used as an emergency backup.
Ed
Not only is it a good backup, but a fantastic primary paddle. The reality is for most paddlers that a straight shaft is going to be the easiest to operate and maneuver with.
While a bent shaft will allow a greater stroke length than an SS, the benefit comes in a shorter stroke and a faster cadence for the non-marathon paddler - with easier correction strokes in less than ideal conditions (wind, inexperienced paddling partner, etc.) Not to mention the advantages with regards to a silent stroke and underwater recovery.
-Erik
I’ve found that a long ( 240cm or better) double bladded/kayak paddle works well for solo paddling in teh wind ( as long as your beam isn’t too wide.) Since you alternate your strokes on both sides of the hull and with shorter intervals, there is less energy wasted correcting course/ waddling and generally fighting the boat.
Looks a bit unconventional but it’s effective.
I usemy double-bladded Yak paddle in my canoe as well. You can’t beat the efficiency and fluidity.
Semper Fi!
I really enjoy my bent shaft paddle and would use nothing else . Another company to check their web site is http://www.bendingbranches.com/ and if close by can get seconds at a nice savings at the factory most of the time.
Tom
I routinely use a bentshaft for cruising as well as fishing. With a bent shaft you only need to master 4 strokes: forward, post, draw and pry. You can do a modified J stroke, just a flick of the wrist at the end of the stroke. Most bent shafts are quite light, hence less tiring to paddle with, a good thing if the fishing is distant.