Why Does Feathering Matter?įeathering your kayak paddle is really a matter of personal choice. A high-quality ferrule system will allow you to change feathering angles easily while you’re out in the water. This is the type of ferrule system you’ll see on the most affordable paddles.įerrules like the patented Posi-Lok Ferrule System give you unlimited feathering angles for the ultimate in customization. Aqua Bounds’ snap-button ferrules offer 0º and 60º angles. If you have a snap-button ferrule, your feathering options are limited to the angles allowed by the holes. (The ferrule is where the two pieces of the kayak paddle come together in the middle of the shaft.) If you’ve been wondering what paddle feathering is and why it matters, here are the basics… What is Paddle Feathering?įeathering a kayak paddle simply means you adjust the ferrule on the shaft so the blades are at an angle to each other rather than straight (as in the photo above). If you have any questions about selecting the right paddle for you, email me at and I’d be happy to assist.“What is paddle feathering?” That’s a question we get all the time. Ideally, the staff at your local outfitter should also be a great resource.Īgain, you should put the same research and effort into buying the right paddle as you do select the right kayak for your type of paddling. Generally, most touring kayaks are narrower and require a shorter paddle, with recreational and fishing kayaks wider and requiring longer paddles.
You can find sizing charts on most paddle company websites. However, that same paddler in a wider sit-on-top fishing kayak, depending on width, might be best with a 250 cm paddle. For example, if you are 5’7” tall and your kayak is 24” to 28” wide, then a paddle 230 cm would be best. Picking a paddle is also dependent on your height and the width of your kayak. At only 26 ounces and less expensive, the Tango and Whisky Fibreglass versions. For you touring kayakers who don’t want the over-sized blades but want a light 23-ounce high-end paddle look at the Aqua-Bound Tango and Whisky Carbon. This allows the paddler to easily expand the paddle up to 15 cm longer depending on wind and water conditions. Both come with over-sized blades for my sit-on-top fishing kayaks and have the option of a telescoping ferrule, which I love.
Kayak paddle pro#
If you want to go even lighter, which I personally prefer, you can look at the Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon at 26 ounces or the Angler Pro at 29 ounces.
A few to look at are the Manta Ray and String Ray Carbon at $199 and the Hybrid versions at $149 and just slightly heavier. Aqua-Bound makes several quality paddles from 29 ounces to just over 31 ounces that will be great for whatever type of kayak you paddle. Oversized blades have a bigger bite, more control and high-angle paddling where the shaft is more vertical during your stroke. For those wider, heavier sit-on-top fishing kayaks an oversized blade is the best choice. Standard sized blades are perfect for most recreational kayakers and designed for a low-angle stroke with the paddle relatively horizontal while paddling. I would suggest a paddle no heavier than 31 or 32 ounces. So, a 3-ounces lighter saves you 300 pounds extra per hour. The formula is that each ounce lighter paddle equates to 100 pounds per hour you don’t have to pull around. Also, more expensive paddles use better components and last longer. Lighter paddles are less fatiguing, meaning you can enjoy your time on the water longer and feel less sore at the end of the day. But, your paddle is the way you move your kayak, so, you should try to buy the most expensive, lightest paddle you can afford.
Kayak paddle how to#
Most people spend more time picking their kayak than how to pick the right kayak paddle. When I’m giving kayaking and kayak fishing talks at sports shows and expos, I like to spend some time talking paddles.