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Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? (Read 13233 times)

Jimbo Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 4604 Location: Florida Joined: Oct 6^th, 2002	Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Jan 9^th, 2018 at 12:28pm	Quote Print Post
	Ok, so it seems I’ve acquired a hard-water season itch that needs scratching before paddling season arrives. My old top-of-the-line Sawyer bentshaft paddle - which I have liked a lot - is getting a little raggedly-looking. It’s approaching the time for me to relegate it to “back-up” status. The ZRE Powersurge at 10 ounces certainly catches my eye (while it’s price tag simultaneously upsets my stomach). There are several other contenders out there, too. In any case, I invite your thoughts regarding bentshaft paddle options that make the most sense for serious canoe trippers. I got an itch I hope to scratch and CanoeCopia may present an opportunity to do so (though I will not be constrained by the exhibitors who choose to show up there). Thanks! Jimbo.


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TomT Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1052 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Aug 26^th, 2007	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #1 - Jan 9^th, 2018 at 4:14pm	Quote Print Post
	This is what I bought in 2016. It's a nice compromise down from the powersurge. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) I couldn't be happier with it and frankly, don't want anything lighter. Mine is 12oz. as I got the carbon fiber grip instead of plastic. I asked for a blemished model and saved $20. I'm still not sure where the blemish is.


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Jimbo Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 4604 Location: Florida Joined: Oct 6^th, 2002	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #2 - Jan 9^th, 2018 at 5:03pm	Quote Print Post
	Thanks for your thoughts on that, TomT. I have looked at that paddle. You save $61 and gain only 2 ounces. Not bad. Another thing I like about the Zav's is the standard 12 degree bend. A lot of reviewers, including Cliff Jacobsen, seem to feel that is the ideal bend for a tripping, flat-water paddle. Like you, I have no issue at all with "blems" when it comes to my paddles or my canoes for that matter, either. Jimbo


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TomT Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1052 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Aug 26^th, 2007	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #3 - Jan 9^th, 2018 at 6:15pm	Quote Print Post
	Yeah, they're "blemmed" up pretty good after the first trip anyway. Why not put an extra $20 in your pocket. Whenever I'm offered a blem model on anything I jump at it. I got a blem stove floor model, a blem space heater, and bought a blem tarp last summer. It's another reason to love distributors like Sierra Trading Post.


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Solus Inukshuk Offline Posts: 967 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Oct 6^th, 2006	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #4 - Jan 9^th, 2018 at 10:10pm	Quote Print Post
	I say go light. You will not regret it. Five years ago I bought a ZRE PowerSurge Lite at 8oz (also a blemish- and haven't found it). Best investment I've ever made. Still going strong and I use it lots (4-5 Q trips a year and lots of day paddles around Ely). Imagine each ounce you save extrapolated against the thousands of paddle strokes per day- two ounces becomes an immense saving against the wear and tear on your shoulder. The paddles also provide superb feedback on your stroke, if you listen they will help you become a much more competent and efficient paddler. A year after I bought my first ZRE I bought another because of a tandem trip with my brother. After a year of using that magic blade I couldn't imagine inflicting my older bent shafts on a canoe mate.


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portage dog Inukshuk Offline Posts: 536 Location: Virginia Joined: Oct 26^th, 2010	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #5 - Jan 10^th, 2018 at 12:31am	Quote Print Post
	I had been looking at the Bending Branches Black Pearl because I really like their grips and love my BB Sun Shadow 14 degree wood paddle, but about the time I was ready to buy, they stopped making it. The deal was they had been getting too many returns about edge damage. My thought is that was more due to the paddler and not the paddle. Last year I found the Werner Algonquin at Copia and got the show discount on it, as the BB folks did not have any plans on another carbon blade (so they said). I am very happy with it and it is slightly under the ZRE in price at $289 list. It is just under 11 oz. I find the blade a bit on the smaller side, but they claim it provides a softer 'catch', so maybe easier on the muscles. At 95 sq. in. it is only marginally smaller than the BB. It performed well on last summer's Q trip and it has become my go to paddle. That said, BB DID come out last fall with the Black Pearl II. It lists for $249 and comes in at 16 oz. with a reinforced edge. Area is 105 sq. in. I have no experience with it (yet), but plan to check it out at Copia this year. pd


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gymcoachdon Inukshuk Offline Posts: 82 Location: Central Indiana Joined: Dec 3^rd, 2015	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #6 - Jan 12^th, 2018 at 4:48am	Quote Print Post
	I sprung for a Zaveral PowerSurge medium, blemished as well. (we are all pretty cheap here?) 11 ounces and a dream to paddle with. Just be careful setting it across the gunwales in a breeze! Two trips with it so far, and a lot of local paddling, and my confidence in it has me thinking I might get a light, and keep the medium as my spare!


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Jimbo Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 4604 Location: Florida Joined: Oct 6^th, 2002	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #7 - Jan 12^th, 2018 at 1:43pm	Quote Print Post
	portage dog wrote on Jan 10^th, 2018 at 12:31am: Last year I found the Werner Algonquin at Copia and got the show discount on it, as the BB folks did not have any plans on another carbon blade (so they said). I am very happy with it and it is slightly under the ZRE in price at $289 list. It is just under 11 oz. I find the blade a bit on the smaller side, but they claim it provides a softer 'catch', so maybe easier on the muscles. At 95 sq. in. it is only marginally smaller than the BB. It performed well on last summer's Q trip and it has become my go to paddle. pd pd - Is that Werner paddle of yours a bent shaft? I can't seem to find any bentshafts on their website. Their touring paddle comes in at "under 12 oz." but the one I find seems to be a straight shaft. gymcoachdon - "Cheap" is often synonymous in my mind with "best possible use of my limited canoe-camping dollars! " Jimbo


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gymcoachdon Inukshuk Offline Posts: 82 Location: Central Indiana Joined: Dec 3^rd, 2015	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #8 - Jan 12^th, 2018 at 4:39pm	Quote Print Post
	Yeah Jimbo, and a $280 paddle isn't really "cheap".


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Jimbo Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 4604 Location: Florida Joined: Oct 6^th, 2002	Re: Lightweight Bentshaft Recommendations? Reply #9 - Jan 12^th, 2018 at 5:55pm	Quote Print Post
	gymcoachdon wrote on Jan 12^th, 2018 at 4:39pm: Yeah Jimbo, and a $280 paddle isn't really "cheap". Amen! Jimbo


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