Favorite ways to size an OC-1 paddle

[bearboater]

just to muddy the water.
i agree that the 60 is a good size, I am 6'2", and for a tripping canoe I have always used a 60 inch werner bandit with the glass blade. i have had it on over 1500 miles of arctic expeditions, Back River (Musk Ox lake to Franklin Inlet-900 miles), Kazan-Kunwak-Kazan (Kasba lake to Baker via Kunwak-700ish miles). I used it as my sole paddle for that type of thing, however, when I paddle a C1, I use stiffer paddles. A werner is a great stick to beat up, and not feel bad about. it will last long enough, so that by the time it's done, he will know what he wants in his next paddle. mine for instance is still good to go, with only .5 inches of wear on the blade after 5 years of OC-1, and tripping.
hope all goes well, and I agree a superb gift.
cheers
-isaac

[Deb R]

And what are general feelings of the Werner Bandit?

Thanks,
Weemac

Well, since I'm only 5'2" I use a 54" paddle. I can't really speak for what size a 6'3" person should use!

However, my paddle is a Werner Bandit, I've had it for 2 years of pretty heavy use, and I've been quite satisfied with it. I got it as a "graduation" present when I finished a beginner's whitewater workshop, and now that I've worked up to class III, I'm still happy with it. I'll change it for something else (Mitchell, maybe) when it wears out enough to justify relegating it to the status of "spare." I've never had a bit of trouble with delaminating or breaking--the only thing I've noticed is some blade wear from the rocks, but not much. It's been pretty light and responsive, as far as I'm concerned. The other day I had to paddle a short distance with my spare (until I caught up with my escaped Bandit--don't ask) and I realized just how much I appreciate that paddle!

Deb

[the great gonzo]

I have very mixed feelings about the Werner Bandit. Great feel, but abysmal durability.particularly when frequently paddling shallow rivers.
Granted, I may be a bit hard on paddles, but within about half a season I wore almost 2 inches off the paddle, The t-grip came apart and the blade started to delaminate.
I replaced the T- grip with a sturdier one and got the blade fixed.
The heavier layup slowed the wear down significantly, but did nothing to stop the delaminating. If I ever buy a composite paddle again I will not buy one without any edge protection, as the Werner.
I am currently using H2O paddles, they have a much sturdier T-grip and the blade wear is much less, in almost 2 seasons of creeking there is maybe 1/4 inch of blade wear.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

[Larry Horne]

H2O....those things are PLASTIC!
....funny looking too

[weeMac]

Wow. Thanks for all the imput everyone! I love this site.

I think I'll go with the 60" and let him try this paddle for a while. He needs a spare too, so if he doesn't like this one, it can become his spare. Surprises are nice and if I chase him around the house with a measuring tape he might get the wrong idea!

Sorry Philcanoe - I don't have a twin, but my brother is real cute and he paddles.

[oc1paddlr]

Ms. weeMac, I guess you see a can of worms opened here. Thanks, it got kind'a dull after Ain'tLou... nevernind. Remember when mr. Weemac is doing 3/4 (or 2/5) he'll be kneeling, so a shorter paddle; cross draws et al, a shorter paddle, shoulder stress... speed/finesse..shorter. I'm saying shorter, not short so yall don't jump on me yet, I ain't but 5'5'ish and use a 54 bandit. This sweetie weighs next to nothing and has tons of power (before used a silver creek-headed for my mantle) At$150 that would my choice; at 6'3''...58or60. But a good paddle is what it's all about-great b-day prez !!! Yo Martin, how do you wear 2" and trash a t-grip so fast! Great gonzoes!

[philcanoe]

overall height is less of a indicator, than torso length ... the length
of ones inseam has less to do, than the amount of stuff above the
saddle

what a great spare...will not weight much at all...even if not used
it'll be the envy of all those less fortunate...it's great to have a spare
that's worth using.. of course he may just choose the thankless task
off wearing it out instead

half a season- 2" inches wear!!! ... us old guys take it a little easier
on the shoulders

[jnorto01]

I second what Martin sez about the Bandit. The durability really stinks. I have not had the delamination problems but every time I use it the blade gets visibly shorter. I wore 2 inches of of the total lenght in 2 seasons with the wear being closer to 3-3.5 inches on the inside edge of the blade. I do paddle a good bit of shallow stuff.Other than the durability the Bandit works OK but does not compare with my Galasport 3M which has been holding up nicely. I use the bandit with my c-boats as it is around 58 inches now, but I'll probably get another 3M and cut it around 55 inches. My existing galasport is 60.5 inches which puts my grip hand right around the top of my head at the catch.

[AJ]

At the price point your looking at and from my bandit owner experience, you might want to consider the Aquabound Edge Carbon instead.

I have had two bandit paddles. They wear out quickly on the on side and bottom. I also think the blade is a little smaller to begin with and does not seem to have the bite in comparison to the Aquabound or other higher end paddles like Mitchell.

My Aquabound has really held up well, seems light, feathers well, and has good bite. What I do not like about it is the T-Grip is plastic and the shaft is round versus oval.

[Louie]

I use a saw sometimes a grinder.

[weeMac]

Ms. weeMac, I guess you see a can of worms opened here. Thanks, it got kind'a dull after Ain'tLou... nevernind. Remember when mr. Weemac is doing 3/4 (or 2/5) he'll be kneeling, so a shorter paddle; cross draws et al, a shorter paddle, shoulder stress... speed/finesse..shorter.

Uh oh. Translation alert. 3/4?? 2/5?? Help me out here.... I haven't reached full cboat nerdom yet.

Weemac

[oc1paddlr]

Ms. weeMac- that is class 3 or 4 and class 2 or 5 as well. Sorry for the ambiguity (been wanting to use that word all day long). I'm amazed you guys wear a bandit down so fast! Mine is going on 5 years old and maybe a quarter inch or so worn off the 'on-side' corner, and I paddle alot. When it's really boney I pull out my spare, a harmany kayak paddle I found broken and cut down to about 50" so it tucks onto my ocoee, next to the bow airbag. But 2 or 3"?, I wonder if Louie is onto something there...

[oc1paddlr]

It's cheap insurance to write a phone no. on your paddle. I believe paddlers are always out to help other paddlers.

[John Coraor]

Ms. weeMac:

I understand your desire to have an actual paddle as a present rather than an IOU. If you don't wish to obtain - or can't find a manufacturer able to provide - a paddle with the grip unattached, then buying a cheaper paddle for your husband to use and perhaps later relegate to the role of being a "spare paddle," is indeed another good option.

With that goal in mind, you probably want reasonable performance, but without the higher cost of a better quality paddle. The Werner Bandit is certainly cheaper than a Mitchell or Galasport, but the Aquabound Edge is even cheaper still. It's what I would buy for a new paddler to try out, if I were uncertain about his/her desired length.

I won't add anything to the discussion of what length to buy. I'm only 5'8" and my experience wouldn't be relevant.

Best wishes in your search!

John

[ezwater]

I'm 6' 5" with shortish legs and a long trunk. I use 61" Clinch River or Mitchell spoon blades in C-1, and a 62" Clinch River spoon in my open boat. I've known people to prefer much shorter paddles, but I find that long, light paddles are quite manageable, even for "Perking" in an open boat.