Kayak paddle width question - gunwale / water level / max width

[Giffman]

While I await delivery of my P14, I’m looking at kayak paddle sizing charts and wondering if I should use gunwale, water level or max width of the canoe when figuring out what size. P14 G - 28”, WL - 28” and Max width is 32” ?

Thx

 

[Tryin']

Gunwale, IME. Its the highest point and therefore the quickest to create interference. 240cm is pretty short for most canoes, 280 is pretty long for solo hulls.

Stroke angle matters, torso length matters, and seat height matters, but most people seem to like how a 260 feels. I have two 280cm and I only wish I had a 260 when I double-blade paddle my Encounter with a 27" GW.

 

[Giffman]

Thank you!

 

[wjmc]

I agree with Tryin that gunwale width is probably the most important - unless you plan on a really, really high angle stroke.

As he mentioned, seat height and your torso length will also affect your choice.

At 5'8" and 170, I find my Bending Branches 260 cm paddle just right when paddling my 29" gunwale width Swift Raven from a seated position. It still works well in my 32" gunwale width PakCanoe, but maybe another 5 cm would be an improvement there.

 

[PortageW/Cerberus]

Sounds like advice is vectoring in the 260-280 range...& I concur. Further refinement depends on your style and height/reach...

 

[Neophyte]

I think you’ll get much better advice here than on a sizing chart. I've linked another discussion below from here that you might find helpful.

Kayak paddle length for wider canoe

Looking for advice. I have an Old Town Discovery 133. It’s a bit over 40 inches wide at center. If I solo from the front seat facing backwards…wondering what length kayak paddle I would need? I’m about 5’10”. Unfortunately I don’t really have the opportunity to go out and try different...

www.canoetripping.net

 

[Cruiser]

Tryin' is spot on IMO. I initially bought a 250 cm for the first solo I built and after learning to use it, thought it was the best. Then I started making them ... moving through a 260 cm, better, then a 270 cm, better again.
I figure for my ~6" frame, the current boat at 26.5 " at the gunnels, 270 cm is about the sweet spot ... I am however building another paddle batch this summer and those will be 280 cm ... by request from friends and curiosity for mine.