Kayak Paddle Sizing Guide Kayak Width Under 23″ 28″ to 32″ Paddler Height Recommended Paddle Length Under 5′ 200 cm 220 cm 5′ to 5’6″ 210 cm 230 cm 5’7″ to 6′ 220 cm 230 cm
How long should a kayak paddle be in inches?
28 inches: Try a paddle that is around 200 to 220 centimeters in length 32 inches: Look for a paddle between 220 and 240 centimeters in length 34 inches: Choose a paddle that is between 230 and 250 centimeters long 36 inches: Find a paddle that falls between 240 and 250 centimeters in length
Does kayak paddle length matter?
If you fall between two sizes, it’s generally better to go shorter Either size would probably work, but you’ll save a few ounces with a shorter paddle If you’re proportioned with a shorter torso, though, then the added reach will come in handy and you should go with the longer paddle
How do you know what size paddle to get?
The best way to choose paddle length: On the water: Sit inside the canoe and measure the vertical distance from your nose to the waterline This measurement should match the distance from a paddle’s grip to the throat, where the paddle shaft meets the blade
Is a longer kayak paddle better?
If you’re tall, you’ll need a longer paddle, too Recreational kayaks are wide and stable, so you’ll need a longer paddle to be able to reach the water easily Touring kayaks are narrower, and sea kayaks are narrower yet, meaning your paddle can be shorter since you have less reach toward the water
What happens when you use too long of a paddle for kayaking?
When using a paddle that’s too short or too long, you’ll end up over exerting yourself and working harder than necessary to build up speed and keep the kayak on track If the length isn’t right, your hands will tend to move along the shaft, resulting in the development of blisters
Should I feather my kayak paddle?
Feathering is most advantageous when paddling into high winds The higher the angle of your blade, the less resistance you will encounter Alternatively, an un-feathered paddle can be advantageous when the wind is at your back, working as a small sail each time the blade is raised into the air
Why do kayak paddles have offsets?
The paddle blades on kayak paddles are arranged asymmetrically to reduce wind resistance An alternative is to turn the paddle when it is lifted out of the water In the long run, however, the turning movement proves to be unergonomic
How much are paddles for a kayak?
Kayak paddles can range in price from $40 to $500 The material of the blade is usually the main factor in the cost of a paddle though the shaft material can also affect price The cheapest paddles available have an aluminum shaft and fiberglass blades and costs around $40
Are kayak paddles measured tip to tip?
Paddles are sized by overall length: tip to grip (or tip to tip) However it is far more accurate to measure your correct size by using only the shaft (and grip in the case of canoe paddles), as the blade can vary greatly in length
Do kayak paddles float?
All kayak paddles float While kayak paddles float, they tend to “float” slower than your kayak will As such, if you drop a kayak paddle into the water you’ll watch helplessly as you and your kayak drift away downstream
Can you use a kayak paddle with a canoe?
So, to definitively answer this question one last time, you can definitely use a kayak paddle for canoe trips You just want to make sure that the width of your canoe matches up with the length of the kayak paddle you choose (as we mentioned above)
Has anyone kayaked the Atlantic?
Only one person had ever crossed the Atlantic in a kayak using solely muscle power, and he traveled island to island, from Newfoundland to Ireland Doba’s goal was to go continent to continent between the mainlands, from Senegal to Brazil, unsupported
How do I stop my kayak paddle from leaking?
What Are Kayak Paddle Drip Rings? Kayak paddle drip rings are cupped rubber rings that fit on both ends of the shaft near the blade Drip rings help prevent water from running down the shaft to your arm, into your armpits, onto your torso, or dripping on your legs, in the cockpit, or on the deck
What size kayak do I need for my weight?
What size kayak do I need for my weight? The right size kayak for your weight is one with a maximum capacity rating that’s about 125 pounds more than your body weight Another rule of thumb is to find out the manufacturer’s maximum capacity rating and reduce it by about 30-35%
Do Pelican kayaks come with paddles?
Most Pelican paddles come with this feature Some Pelican paddles offer adjustment between 10-12 cm and could be a good option if you have multiple kayaks of different widths or the paddle will be used by paddlers of different heights
Should I angle my kayak paddle?
Whether you feather your paddle or not isn’t a right-or-wrong choice, but a preference Most kayak paddles today can be feathered between 15 and 60 degrees 60 is most typical, except for whitewater paddlers, who usually use 30 to 45 degrees because of the rough conditions they face
Why are paddles angled?
Perhaps the most commonly asked question is: why are SUP paddles angled? SUP paddles are angled to facilitate an efficient stroke They use minimal energy to start a stroke since the blades are positioned forward Angled SUP paddles have less drag, provide more speed, and use less energy than straight ones
Are kayak paddle left or right handed?
Once your paddle is sized, the next step is to determine which hand will “control” the paddle, and it may or may not be the hand your write with Basically, if you paddle right-handed, your right hand will grip the shaft firmly, while your left hand allows the shaft to rotate freely as you paddle, and vice versa