in article , BCITORGB
at wrote on 6/15/05 1:07 PM:

Over the course of a few years of renting kayaks, I have always been
instructed that the best way to enter and launch is by way using my
paddle as an outrigger, across the back of the cockpit. I've accepted
this as gospel. Now I've come across a very informative website that
takes a contrary view.

========================
At http://www.seapaddler.co.uk/Launchin...%20Landing.htm

One of the most common sights is of sea kayakers using their paddles as
outriggers, across the back of the cockpit, to steady their entry into
the kayak. The process is often reversed at the end of the day. This
is a practice, which should be avoided if at all possible. Sea kayak
paddles are not generally constructed to withstand the same pressures
as white water blades and it is possible therefore for the junction
between the blade and the shaft to be weakened and eventually break.
If this is during the course of a multi-day trip then the expression
"inconvenient" is somewhat of an understatement.
====================

What are the opinions of the experts here?

Expert shmeckshpert. How many people have you ever heard of breaking a
paddle in this way? There are obviously lots of different methods for entry
and exit, but I don't think paddle damage is a very legit reason for
abandoning this particular method.

Keenan

On 17-Jun-2005, Keenan & Julie wrote:

How many people have you ever heard of breaking a
paddle in this way?

The person I know who is most vocal about using the "butt first"
entry sells paddle for a living. He's tired of explaining to
folks that this sort of breakage is not covered under warranty.

The only paddle I've ever repaired was broken on such an entry.
It had a composite blade and the end snapped. She couldn't
afford another paddle, so I patched it for her with 'glass.

Paddles do break and sitting on the back deck makes you less
stable than entering butt first. Why make things difficult
when an easy solution is at hand?

Mike

in article , Michael Daly at
wrote on 6/20/05 1:38 PM:


On 17-Jun-2005, Keenan & Julie wrote:

How many people have you ever heard of breaking a
paddle in this way?

The person I know who is most vocal about using the "butt first"
entry sells paddle for a living. He's tired of explaining to
folks that this sort of breakage is not covered under warranty.

The only paddle I've ever repaired was broken on such an entry.
It had a composite blade and the end snapped. She couldn't
afford another paddle, so I patched it for her with 'glass.

Paddles do break and sitting on the back deck makes you less
stable than entering butt first. Why make things difficult
when an easy solution is at hand?

Mike

So, in your case the answer would be "one."

In my case it is "none."

The massive numbers of people who do enter this way seem to find it stable
enough, and if their paddles were all snapping, I think it's safe to say
they'd be adopting another method.

Keenan

On 21-Jun-2005, Keenan & Julie wrote:

So, in your case the answer would be "one."

Re-read the first paragraph.

Mike

in article , Michael Daly at
wrote on 6/21/05 11:29 AM:

On 21-Jun-2005, Keenan & Julie wrote:

So, in your case the answer would be "one."

Re-read the first paragraph.

Mike

Ahh, yes. "This person I know."

But in your own case, the answer is "one."

Maybe the person you know sells crappy paddles. I don't think I could break
mine if I tried. Forget using it as a brace for entry, I've put it through
much worse than that, like prying my combined body and kayak weight.

On 21-Jun-2005, Keenan & Julie wrote:

Maybe the person you know sells crappy paddles.

Lendal.

Mike

in article , Michael Daly at
wrote on 6/21/05 3:25 PM:


On 21-Jun-2005, Keenan & Julie wrote:

Maybe the person you know sells crappy paddles.

Lendal.

Mike

Excellent, now I know what not to buy. Thanks Mike.