i use the OEM Hobie paddle.  i think there is a crack somewhere.  when i push off of rocks, i can feel the crack..or hear it.    so the clock is ticking.

 

i get notifications from Bending Branches all the time.  I think their "Factory Seconds" deal is fairly appetizing.    lighter, stiffer, better looking?  is a better paddle worth the cost of admission? 

 

my OEM Hobie paddle drips so much water on me.  hahah

If it is your main mode of propulsion, you get more power, less blade flex, less fatigue, which equals paddling for longer periods/distances. If you have peddles, I wouldn't bother spending what I spent on a Werner Camano. It was under 300 when I bought the Werner. It is well over 300 now, Zowie! Totally worth it though. 

Definitely lighter and stiffer. Makes a huge difference at the end of the day if you are in a paddle only kayak. I had a Werner Camano. Got it on sale, but still expensive. 

https://www.rei.com/product/781866/werner-camano-straight-2-piece-paddle

 

Drip rings help with paddle dripping water on you.

https://www.rei.com/product/208493/seattle-sports-seawall-drip-rings

was considering this one.  " If you have peddles, I wouldn't bother spending what I spent on a Werner Camano." @Bass Junke that is solid advice.  

 

great advice.  i do however, paddle quite often.  more than i should.  i like standing and paddling around looking for "proof of life" out on the waters.   probably why my current paddle is creaking and cracking..from the strains of use while standing.  

 

I used my paddle almost every single trip- for the measuring lines on the shaft.  Aside from that, I never used mine since the motor did all of the work.  I did use it in super shallow stuff as a push pole (and considered swapping it for a push pole for a while).  All that is to say- what are you actually using it for?  If you're truly paddling with it then as above.  if you're mostly using pedals to get place and occasionally using it as a stand up paddle then i'd seriously look at a standup paddleboard paddle.  

If it is your main mode of propulsion, you get more power, less blade flex, less fatigue, which equals paddling for longer periods/distances. If you have peddles, I wouldn't bother spending what I spent on a Werner Camano. It was under 300 when I bought the Werner. It is well over 300 now, Zowie! Totally worth it though. 

 

@Darth-Baiter Considering what you do with it, that might be too much money also. I was thinking a paddle in the 150 range. 

 

@casts_by_fly the only thing with a paddle board paddle is if you get into a jam with your peddles, then getting back to the ramp might be more of a chore. I stand up and paddle board around all the time. you are not inconvenienced that much with a standard kayak paddle. I wouldn't want to have to paddleboard back to the ramp. If that makes sense. 

i did come up with one thought.   the ocean.  apparently leaving and coming back from the surf requires a bit of effort with paddles.  

Even with my pedal kayak, the paddle gets plenty of use.  I picked up a Werner Tybee quite a while ago - I wanted something decently lightweight, but with standard 'plastic' blades as I'm mainly on the river, and slamming carbon blades on the rocks just doesn't appeal to me.  

 

It was a nice upgrade from the cheapy paddle I was using before.

I rarely use my paddle but did upgrade to a nicer wilderness systems apex.. Night and day difference VS the cheap pelican one I had.. Super light.. Zero flex.. And I can actually move my autopilot if I need too.. And it looks as good as it feels.. Who doesn't love carbon fibre.. I sure do.. 

I also have the werner camano; it was expensive but well worth it. I loan out my kayaks all the time but never my paddle. I have the adjustable 240-260 which is also key. I generally use 252 or so, but that is because any longer gets in my way when stored for fishing. But if i had a long slog home vs wind and waves going out to 260 does help. Check your paddle style with those drips: are you bringing your hand up so the paddle stroke is vertical? While that can work for a surf launch or sprint or river, keeping your hands down and using a low angle stroke is more efficient and less work over long distances. 

I used to keep a full-sized paddle clipped to my AP120, but after a while I didn't see the point.

 

Instead, I bought an Attwood telescoping paddle. First off, it's easy to stow. I mainly use it when pulling back into the ramp when there's high winds or currents and I've pulled the motor.

 

But I also use it in lily pads, heavy brush, weeds, etc. - or when I get stuck in shallow waters. For me, it works great.

 

It wouldn't be ideal to use if I'm ever 5 miles from the ramp and breakdown. I'm much rather call for help or flag a boat down for a quick tow.

The way I understand it. A boat can’t tow a kayak.  Unless it’s going very slow. Like on the trolling motor.   It gets swamped 
 

the theory is untested.  Just what I heard. 

8 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

The way I understand it. A boat can’t tow a kayak.  Unless it’s going very slow. Like on the trolling motor.   It gets swamped 
 

the theory is untested.  Just what I heard. 

Do you even fish, bro? 😂 

^^  what about with a person in it?  

22 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

The way I understand it. A boat can’t tow a kayak.  Unless it’s going very slow. Like on the trolling motor.   It gets swamped 
 

the theory is untested.  Just what I heard. 

I'm confident that I would tell the boater not to go WOT!😁

This is what I use, but then I’m in a canoe and 6’ 3”. Well worth the  money when it was all I used. Now with a 55# thrust trolling motor it gets less use, although I do still fish paddle/peddle only waters.

 

 I thought of replacing it with a small single blade but never fully trust the battery or motor and confident I can get back from about anywhere with it on board. Something to consider.

My paddle is a AT Oracle full carbon fiber bent shaft. Very comfortable, no wasted energy, and worth every penny. 

11 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

^^  what about with a person in it?  

Good way to lose some stuff and maybe drown haha

I've got a Cannon Ultimate Angler and like it a lot. Huge improvement over my old $50 paddles. Lugged my big Recon120 around just fine and made everything smaller so much easier.

 

For your situation though I'd almost wonder if one of those convertible paddles would be a better fit for you? Split it in half and use a handle end while you are standing and moving and have the other paddle half if you have to use it in an emergency as your main propulsion. 

I've got an expensive paddle that I found floating. It pushes my kayak off the shores the same as the cheap one. Then I mostly pedal. 

 

I should probably swap for push pole. 

I ordered a paddle.  Surf launches are no joke.  Coming back in is 5 seconds of terror.  Haha. 

When I had my paddle only SS127, I had a Werner Camano 250cm. I loved it. It was nice and light and the handle was a little fatter than others so easy on my arthrytic hands.

 

Good paddles also float.