Jimbo,

You're in the right spot, the devil is in the details.  I blame Werner - they are primarily a kayak paddle maker so they are just learning to speak 'canoe'.  The Algonquin is only available in a straight shaft...however....IF you look at their webpage in the different shaded blue table and click on Blade Shape, it says "Canoe Touring - 10 degree offset".  Sooooo, the SHAFT is straight and they consider the BLADE offset...or bent, if you will.  :o  Seriously?  Mine is a 52" and I believe I weighed it at 10.75 oz, but now, of course my scale is not working.  For something slightly heavier, but a Bennie cheaper, the Churchill is a 'glass paddle and 16 oz. - about the same as the BB Black Pearl II. 

I agree with your definition of cheap!  I almost never by anything at full price.  If you are patient, everything goes on sale at some point. (portage monkeys included)  I declared mine a self-birthday present.

The thing about light weight paddles is they spoil you and even a 20 oz. wood blade feels like swinging a log around after that.  It's so light, occasionally, I mis-position a brace or stroke.  As Solus said, thousands of strokes, it takes a lot of weight and wear/tear off the muscles and joints. 

pd