Paddle selections is a comfort thing combined with usage. the length of a
paddle has nothing to do with its relation to you height. there is no
constant there when I measure someone for a paddle I ask them two things
paddling style and usage. I throw away the math the equations take a broom
stick place one hand on top like on a paddle and then let you other hand
slide down the side till you are comfortable with that distance as your arms
rest apart. that is you shaft distance. that's all that stay almost
consistent. If your shaft distance is 33" and you are paddling a C-1
whitewater paddle the paddle will come to a different height on you compared
to a river tripping paddle short blade but wide and a lake paddle narrow and
longer then the rest. one blade would come in at something like 18" and
another at 26" and maybe the last at 28" all depending so each paddle would
come in at a different height next to your body.It is the distance your
hands set apart. Many say take the paddle hold it over your head with both
arms at a 90 degree bend. I use the broom handle because it does not lead
you visually most paddlers get the urge to let there hand go towards the
blade even if the shaft is too long. The broom handle is neutral and you are
left with only the feel of it in my case my arms rest short of 90 if I hold
them up and when I paddle solo I pick a slightly longer paddle as where some
pick a sorter paddle preference and ability matters in that area trial and
error for myself I go longer on solo because of two bad knees so I need the
paddle to make up for the lack of body mobility to shift while performing
complex stroke. I if you are in the stern or bow the boat should at most
only be slightly of trim give circumstances and your position the bow puts
you further away sometimes but your average height should still give you
some room on the handle. Good luck picking through the paddle world.
--
Abe Elias
Diving Sparrow Paddle Co,
http://home.cogeco.ca/~aelias
"Richard Ferguson" wrote in message
...
I am signed up for a canoe course in May, and my local paddle shop has a
sale this week, so I am looking to upgrade my canoe setup. I have an
Old Town Camper Canoe, 16 foot, plastic, wide and with a flat bottom.
1. Floats are recommended for the canoe course. I measured my boat, 36
inches from the inside of the stern to the back of the rear seat, and 55
inches from the inside of the bow to the front of the front seat.
Available end floats seem to be around 30" or 40" long. I am tempted to
get the 30 inch float for the front, to avoid losing too much legroom
for the bow paddler, and 40" for the back, which would actually extend
under the rear seat. Does this seem reasonable? I am buying floats for
tandem paddling, but may ocasionally paddle it solo, and will probably
be solo for the class. I may get a center float later.
2. How do I attach the float bags? I understand that one usually mounts
eyes to the gunnels, but these gunnels are plastic box sections, so I
can't get inside the gunnel to use a backing plate and throughbolts,
which is how I like to install hardware on plastic or fiberglass. I am
concerned about using screws on plastic, but perhaps stainless sheet
metal screws would work.
3. I have a 60" paddle, a 54" paddle, and a 48" paddle, all ordinary
wood paddles. I am 5' 11" and usually sit in the stern. My local shop
does not carry paddles more than 60" long, except for heavy plastic raft
paddles. Is the 54" paddle too short for someone my size in the bow? I
have a book that claims stern paddles come to your eyes, bow to your
chin; by that standard I need to go 6 inches longer, bow and stern. The
48" paddle is the spare or for kids. I don't want to spend $75 on a
paddle. Should I get a longer paddle? If so, where can I order it?
Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Richard