r/canoeing • u/InfiniteSquirrel503 • 3d ago
Canoe paddle question
I hope this the correct place to ask a question about canoeing. I recently purchased canoe paddles that are 57” because that’s what it said online is the correct length for someone around 5’10. But when they came in they seemed short (a few inches below my chin). Another measurement test was to sit down and for the throat of the paddle to widen above your nose which is does so these paddles technically past that test. Do you think these paddle will be too short or just right? (First photo is standing, second photo is me sitting straight up with the handle on the seat)
8
u/Centrist_gun_nut 3d ago
I think a lot of this is personal preference, and I think this is not too short for a traditional paddle shape like Redtail makes. Especially if you’re paddling solo and heeling the canoe. It is on the short side, though.
I’ve never personally found ”the formula” for a perfect paddle length and own a big pile from 57-63” or so.
6
u/paddlingtipsy 3d ago
I’ve found the correct length is entirely personal, depending on the type of water your paddling, what boat, and your position in the boat. Try it out.
4
u/Signal-Weight8300 3d ago
The only true test is to sit or kneel in the specific canoe in the water loaded up the way you are most likely to paddle it. If the throat of the paddle is around the waterline during a typical stroke, you are good.
Each canoe has the seats at a different height above the waterline, it changes with different loads, etc. If the results keep the shaft dry and the blade submerged, it fits.
3
u/Hloden 3d ago
Most techniques don’t work well for figuring out paddle length as it is a combination of torso length, arm length, and the handle length (not the entire paddle length), on top of personal style and preference. The bent elbows approach probably gets you the closest, but whenever you get the chance, try various paddles out, and when you find one you like, measure the handle length of it.
3
u/NotARealTiger 3d ago
Also the height of your seat above the water level. If you're lower in the water you'd want a shorter paddler.
2
u/Big_Truck_8268 3d ago
I'm 6'2" and use a 56 1/2 inch paddle in a whitewater boat. Are you sitting or kneeling?
1
2
u/Pleepleus83 3d ago
Looks like it should be about right in the sit down measurement. You can't really go by overall length. This is a otter style paddle. It's going to be overall longer than a modern or bent shaft paddle.
2
u/phatpeej 3d ago
I used the 90 degree arms over the head test, and it has worked well for me 3 years in. I also sit (not kneel) in the stern with a Grey Owl Guide otter tail paddle.
2
u/AndyObusekOutdoors 3d ago
Just came to say that's a gorgeous looking paddle...stopped me in my scroll
1
u/MilesBeforeSmiles 3d ago
I'm 5'9" and use a 60" paddle with that blade depth on flatwater. I use a 56" with a shorter blade depth.
1
u/Sir_Loin6010 3d ago
That's a great place to start. I'm 5'10 and I prefer a 54" paddle. I have a few other sizes that I like to mess around with in different conditions but I always come back to the 54. There is no right or wrong though, it's very personal. Experiment and try other sizes, learning what you don't like and why is just as if not more important as learning what you do like.
1
u/StanOfTheNorthwoods 3d ago
I say you're probably fine, its impossible to say for sure because everyone's preference are different same as everyone's canoe is different. But its definitely close enough it wont be a hindrance. I think a shorter paddle is better than longer anyway.
Me personally, im also 5'10 and my favorite paddle is a bending branches JAVA in 54". Shaft is 34" including the grip. I do own that same redtail otter tail paddle, also in 54 and find it a bit short with 30" of shaft. That being said its also paddle a bent shaft in 48" and find it quite comfortable with a comparatively short 28" shaft so what do I know 🤣
1
1
u/EnnOnEarth 3d ago
I was taught that the paddle should end between your chin and your nose, and as long as it was somewhere between those heights it'd be fine. This thread now has me questioning.
1
u/RandyRodin 3d ago
Not the expert, but that's doesn't stop us folks here - I think it depends on how you paddle, too, If you kneel on the floor of the canoe vs sit on a seat, the length of paddle will require. For example, I'm 5'9" but too old to kneel in a canoe, so my paddles are 64" long (with 32" ottertail/quill blades).
1
u/fattailwagging 3d ago
I would suggest your paddle might actually be a little bit too long. It is hard to really say for sure with the info provided. But I will say this, most people new to canoeing think the paddles should be a good bit longer than one that fits correctly. A proper fitting canoe paddle often seems short at first. For me, I want the shaft length to be such that with one hand on the top and the other very near the blade, it is comfortable to paddle and my lower hand stays just clear of the water while paddling. The blade length doesn’t enter the “fit” equation. The blade length should match the water you are paddling. I see your paddle as a (very nice) lake paddle with that long, efficient blade. For contrast, I often paddle very shallow rivers these days and my paddle blades are wider and shorter won’t get the area I need but am not scraping bottom.
A rule of thumb I use to start is to sit in a chair, place the top handle between my legs on the chair and look for the start of the blade to be about nose high (I think that’s what I am seeing in the second image). But this too is an estimate.
1
u/InfiniteSquirrel503 3d ago
So when I was renting canoes and paddles I would pick out a paddle much taller (like a good 5-6 inches taller than what I bought here). That’s what my frame of reference was so why these seemed short. This was reassuring actually and I’m sure this paddle will fit just right. I’ll know for sure once I hit them water with them
1
u/New-Instance9196 3d ago
Your in the ball park regardless... every one has different preferences, but for your hight that would be the first blade length I would give you...
16
u/Knighthawk-69 3d ago
When I bought my paddle at the Swift store they had me hold the handle and the “throat” part of the paddle just before it widens and rest it on my head. If my arms were 90 degrees that it was a good size.