Folding Kayaks Forum

I have a Klepper AII and am 6'2" tall. What are your favorite paddles. What does anyone recommend for me?

Werner

Favorite?
I just use the standard old 240cm Klepper paddles for my AE II. They work just fine!
For lighter, modern paddles, Werner Camano's, Corryvrecken etc seem to be popular. I would recommend sticking with a 240cm length, considering the generous beam.

Debate on paddles heats up noticeably for single kayaks. There we each have our favorites!

So, a question or two: Which paddle(s) do you currently use? What is your primary intended use for the AE II, as in relaxed protected water paddling, or long(er) open water excursions?

Chris

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Klepper Aerius II
Nautiraid Miniraid
Klepper T67
Pionier 450 S
Kette SE 54
Mariner Coaster
HSF Horst Hartung Slalom 50
P&H Hammer

I've used the AEII originals. I find the Camano's lighter than the originals. But my favorite for paddling the AEII solo is a slightly wide blade Greenland Paddle. I also use the Feathercraft Klatwa with the AEII and I like that as well.

I like the two GP paddles because the AEII is such a heavy boat I dig the Camano in too much and end up hurting my shoulders and tiring quicker. The GP is very forgiving and as near as I can tell just as efficient over the long haul. The downside to the GP is that it's a much wetter paddle and can bring a fair amount of water into the boat. On the other hand it's fantastically versatile.

d

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Klepper Aerius II
Klepper T9
Long Haul MK1 Expedition 'light'
Klepper S4 sail rig
Kayaksailor 1.6 +genoa
BSD 36HP

Dennis what length is your GP in inches? I almost bought one at Canoecopiabut decided to wait on the BSD rig in April. The size they recommended was 92 inches & it weighed 33 Oz. I don't know if that's long enough & I don't know how much shorter my stroke will be.

210cm Windswift. Used it in an A2 and really liked it. Easy on the shoulders and enough of a bite for good cruising speed. I am in the minority for recommending shorter length paddles here but many racers use shorter paddles for more ergonomic strokes.

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Feathercraft Kahuna ( Angela )
Mariner Express ( Miruku Maru ) ( In Storage)
Innova Helios 380
Northwest Sportee (SuperBoat)
Innova Safari
Mariner I
Feathercraft Java
Nautiraid 14
Innova Sunny
Feathercraft K-Light

Frank my larger one is a 230cm = 90.5 inches - My Feathercraft Klatwa is a 220cm = 86.6"

I would definitely try a 210 as Chuck recommends as well. That would be about 82.7"

I just love the versatility of these paddles but the best part is the low stress on your body.

There are a few websites around that tell you how to carve one of these yourself. I'm hoping to get around to that one of these days.

d

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Klepper Aerius II
Klepper T9
Long Haul MK1 Expedition 'light'
Klepper S4 sail rig
Kayaksailor 1.6 +genoa
BSD 36HP

I second Tsunamichuck's endorsement of the Windswift paddle. I have a 220 cm that I used for years as my main paddle, and carry it now as my spare. As an act of vanity, I bought an Epic Relaxed Touring paddle, discounted at a paddling expo, 215 cm, and capable of lengthening to 225 cm. Its blades were a bit larger than those of my Windswift and I never really grew to love it as it was. So I traced the outline of my Windswift's blades onto the Epic and then cut the Epic's blades down to match the Windswift's. The result was, for me, the perfect paddle--a tad lighter than the Windswift but with the Windswift's ideal blade shape and size, and adjustable length as well.

It is always difficult to say which is the best length for a paddle on my 19 inch wide hull of my hard shell I liked my Greenland 203 cm which I had specially made. On the Aerius 2 I have the longest Eskimo paddle that Nautiraid make, I like it. I would suggest you buy a cheap paddle at the shorter lengths suggested and try them as paddle length can be a personal feel. The photo is the nautiraid Eskimo.