Best downwind paddle

[DavidJohn]

That's a misprint DJ.  it should say 87 inch because it is 84inch shaft and the handle adds another 3 inches and this is how they come in the uncut 1-pc version

Thanks River..That's good to know cos I use a paddle 87" long.

Are there any pics showing the face of the blade..Is there still the same dihedral as the spanker?

Have you used one yet River?...How does the shaft flex compair to the spanker?

DJ

[StandUpPaddleSurf.net]

DJ - I tried out the Advantage adjustable yesterday on a 9 mile downwind run.  The range of the paddle was 78" to 82.5" and I mostly used it at the 82.5" length.  I need to try the next size up adjustable as I prefer my downwind paddles at 85".  I am a gear head and like gadgets so I didn't mind the extra ounces.  Toward the end of the run we normally get a head wind and I'm tired and try to catch waves.  That's when I lowered the length to 78". 

The blade is way different than the Spanker.  The Spanker has a canoe shaped blade with deep dihedral, 9.25" at the wide point and is light at 20 oz or so.  The Advantage has a way more parallel type outline, is super thin in the blade and has a pronounced scoop throughout the whole blade.  This paddle is like no other shape I've seen before.

It has no dihedral although it doesn't wander and cavitate like some of the other paddles with flat bottom blades.  This paddle is surprisingly good for catching ocean bumps during downwinders. 

The paddle seems to have a little more flex than the Spanker.  I put pressure on both the Spanker and Advantage on the floor to test the flex and noticed that the blade of the Advantage also added to the flex. 

One thing to note is the interesting handle.  It's a cross between a T grip and palm grip.  At first I thought it looked weird but after using it for 9 miles I really like it now. 

I was at 2 local shops yesterday and both had new shipments of these paddles. 

[DavidJohn]

Thanks...That's good info.

DJ