C-Forum

HI

The new Drakkar c-1 paddle will be released in late jan 05.

The paddle hi-performance all round c-1 paddle. The desing is has outstanding performance and incredible swim. The blade is powerfull but smooth. The rib is thinner than in many other paddels making the skulling strokes smooth and fast. The paddle is foamcore/prepreg constrution and has minimal flex while paddling offering incredible feel and acceleration. The features will be well appriciated also by slalom paddlers.

The surface area is medium sized to allow some awesome play potential. Yet the blade provides more than enough power for serious river use.

We put plenty of effort to make THIS PADDLE REALLY STRONG. It has extremely strong conical carbon saft and reinfirced carbon/platinum blade. The weight is not an issue. It is still lighter than most of other paddles.

Paddle has alu tip, oval grip and wooden handle.

Marko
www.drakkarkayaks.com

Marko,

why do you go for Alu. tip?

From my experience, they do not stick well to the
kevlar or carbon or whatever, they mushroom and even fall out.
Other options seem to work better in my experience...

Cheers, Jan

what price range are you going to shoot for, or is that not set yet? nice description, when you have them, pics would be neat to see.
-isaac

I second that on the aluminum tip - they mushroom and split end of the paddle. That's happening to my second Climax paddle; the first I replaced with epoxy and accessory cord, the next will get dynel. I wonder if stainless steel would work, probably heavier, but you could use less of it...

my mitchell did that with it's aluminum tip. After like 2 months of paddling, and the blade just snapped the other day. I think perhaps SS or titanium may work better than aluminum, but some sort of composite tip is probably the best. It may wear fast, but at least you won't get stuck on a river with a totally busted paddle that you can't even take offside strokes with cause there's a 4 inch flap of delaminated carbon fiber hanging off the blade. I now always carry duct tape on the river... SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE A SOLID AND DEPENDABLE CREEKING PADDLE FOR C1ERS...WE NOW HAVE C1 CREEKBOATS BUT IT DOESN'T DO YOU MUCH GOOD TO BE STUCK ON CLASS V WITHOUT A PADDLE EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE PERFECT BOAT!!!

I paddle with an Echo that has a composite tip.
It is not as hard as the dynel edges and works phantastic.
I smashed out the aluminum tip of the same paddle
within 2 month, sent it back to Andy, he repaired
it with this new tip and since then no probs whatsoever.

The tip Andy uses is dynel and carbon and wears about the same amount as the carbon-kevlar mix on the blade. This is ideal in my eyes. It wears very slowly (WAY SLOWER than bandit style blades).

Cheers, Jan

anyone paddle a double dutch mitchell? they look fairly decent, for a carbon paddle,

what is a good all round c-1 paddle for creeking, and big water, and such?

... as stated in the past. If you want a creek paddle check out Clinch River. I have 5 seasons of serious abuse on mine and it is fine. If you want a different tip than aluminum Bailey can do that as well....but his tips are set deeper and better IMO. Bailey is an old school creeker... I can't say enough about his sticks.

Craig Smerda

Craig,

I took your recomendation on a Clinch River paddle from a post I made awhile back. Called Bailey and ordered one, told him you sent me. Nice guy to work with, we spent a good amount of time on the phone going over the options and he made sure that everything was going to be to my likeing. The paddle is supposed to be here befroe Christmas and I'm pretty excited about getting it out on the water.

If you want a nice lightweight high zoot race/play carbon paddle there are many other options, and I'm sure Markos are nice as are several others out there. I've owned used or tried most of them. If you are going creeking or river running with a small boat and have no room for a breakdown... his paddles are the "best" option IMO. I've told more than one manufacturer that I would rather pay for one of Baileys paddles than get theirs for free... not that I'm opposed to free paddles... please send them to me... and I'll break them.

Craig

Craig,
Do you have Bailey's number? What's the best way to get in touch with him. I'm only like and hour and a bit from Knoxville...
Will

Bailey doesn't do email or web stuff. Just call him at 865-986-9387

If you get me an image or two of Bailey's paddles I'd be happy to post them on the Paddle page (along with his phone number if he'd like) as I've done for Keith Backlund....

HI

We are very devoted to make this paddel really strong and wear resistant. Yet we want to keep the blade nice and smooth. Everything has at least an layer of carbon more than my test one which has served me 2 years and has only weared a bit in corners.

I will pass images as we get first produstion series ready. this one is not going to be cheap but it will be great value for money.

Marko