I picked up a carbon fiber canoe paddle and was amazed at how light it is.  What do you QJrs think of this thing?

If you are paddling big, long days I think they are the way to go. Ounces add up to pounds over the course of a day. What is very notable is how heavy and "club like" a wooden paddle feels after you get used to carbon fiber.

It was once mentioned to me that carbon fiber paddles are apt to be blown out of your hand but I have not found that to be the case nor has the wind been an issue as far as paddling technique.

However.......they have limitations. I wouldn't want to step on one. Plus they are susceptible to being blown away when they aren't in your hands. I have a wooden spare paddle that I use for fishing. I have caught my Zav several times out of midair after setting it on the gunnels. Plus I always secure it at night and at portage  landings.

They are a joy to use, quite rewarding and the secret to being able to keep up should you find yourself in hardcore company.

Thanks Al. I may get one.  As for hard core company, bring 'em on.

prouboy

I have a carbon fiber single blade and a double that I got with a used canoe.  They were too expensive to use so I put them away for several years.  I use them now and what mastertangler said. Light boat plus light paddles keeps me going with the young guys.

They are great on deep water, but put them away when you head up that rocky shallow stream. They do not play well in the rocks. I bought my wife a Bending Branches "Sunburst" paddle that has a carbon fiber shaft with a wood blade. Lighter weight than all wood but with wood durability on the blade.

I have been using a Zav for the past couple of seasons and I don't see myself going back to wood.  That being said, there are things that the Zav doesn't do nearly as well as a nicely crafted wooden long bladed paddle (like a beaver or otter tail.)  If you like keeping your blade in the water throughout without ever having it break the water then the short, wide blade of a Zav is not nearly as easy or pleasant to use.  But for long and especially windy days, it is the best and makes my other paddles feel like 2 x 4's.  I also like the Zav in the shallows.  I have some long-time tripping friends who definitely don't share my zeal for the Zav but the bottom line for me - my lightest wooden paddle is about 20 oz.  My Zav is 8.5 oz.  Multiply the difference over 8 hours and then multiply that by 22 days and my shoulders say "Thank you."

MT summed it up pretty well.

Also Fallguy's comment on paddling "upstream in shallow water with rocks", not a good place for carbon paddles, use with caution.

The Zav's are built with 3 parts, grip, shaft, and blade. Any one of which can be replaced if broken. They're held together with 5 min epoxy which can be softened with a heat gun and removed. And just like composite canoes, minor damage can be repaired with epoxy and some carbon cloth.

You'll also feel the water better (because of the thinner blade edge) and IMO probably improve your paddling technique, much like using a quality fishing rod. If you lay one down don't lay it so it forms a bridge, lay it so the blade is up. That way if it does get stepped on it'll tip up.

ditto to all the above

I have straight shaftnot bent
 
best for use for a higher cadence faster paddling - I think if you are just lily dipping, paddling at very easy rate a bigger bladed paddle is as good

aside from the weight, just switching to a smaller bladed paddle also works if you want to use a higher cadence - but if you need more power in a headwind or for going upriver, then a bigger bladed paddle is still better - I'll still use heavier paddle for the exercise and better boat control at times - but for long distance long days of paddling, lighter is better

Okay, you guys have sold me! 

Before next paddling season, I'm going to buy a carbon paddle, and bring along my wood bent-shaft as a spare.  Best of both worlds? 


prouboy

I'm not a fan of spending big money on stuff I'm not sure of and prefer to try things out first.  In August just before a Q trip, I tried out several canoes at Piragis and tried out one of their composite Wenonah Pro Lite Elbow paddles, outfitter edition (no difference, just says Outfitter Edition on it).  It was quite a nice paddle and at 14oz., definitely 'lite'.  It performed very well and I managed to pick up a 'used' one in their canoe shop for $80 (new is $200) and it had no noticeable issues, just a few scratches.  I took it on the Q trip and used it, supplemented by my BB Sun Shadow.  I did like the lightness and the knife edge blade cut more cleanly into the water.  As others have said, though, careful around the rocks!  I found myself babying it a lot more than the rock guard tip on my BB for sure.

What I didn't like so much was the grip - it's rather fat...kinda bulbous, and I prefer a more contoured grip.  I think it was a good deal and I still use it (was just out with it today), but I think I might prefer the BB Black Pearl, though I have not paddled it.  The grip is more canted and a fair bit sleeker.  For the price, though, I figured why not. 

I had a colletion of REI gift cards to burn up (note - not my big money...plus I could always return it), so I had REI special order up a Bending Branches A Series paddle (they don't stock them, but can order any BB paddle you want).  I wanted to try a double bend - folks say it's easier on the wrists and with a bit of carpal tunnel, will take any edge I can.  First - what a piece of art, an absolutely beautiful paddle.  It does paddle very nicely, but I have not had opportunity for extended use like on a trip yet, so I cannot say for sure how it does on the wrists long term.  No regrets yet, though.

pd

if i had more money im sure id have one. right now though, im perfectly content with my bending branches bent shaft with the rock guard tips. i take very good care of my gear, but i dont like the feeling of having to be that careful. id rather worry about what the fish are biting on

with that said, ive sworn up and down that ill never stray from my aluminum canoe, but give me 15 years and im sure ill be singing a different tune.

P_B, Go straight to Zav and tell him you want a tripping paddle. Ask if he'll send you a Barton one (he owns the rights). It's a bit beefier then Zav's other paddles. But mostly see what he says. He can leave a little extra on the tip so you can sand down the graphite "hang nails" from chips. That saves the edge in the long run.

Barton built the first graphite paddles I saw. He later got 2 gold metals paddling kayak in Seoul and started Epic kayaks.

Zaveral is a pro canoe racer in New York.

I have two of the...love them, love them...

I have two 8.5oz ZRE Power Surge Lite- Best gear purchase I ever made. I loved my wooden Gilliespe Paddle, beautiful, light (17oz) and expensive- now when I pull it out to navigate rocks the thought in my head is "war club".