Grey Owl Paddle Chieftain Cherry – Canoe

Traditional Style Paddle in beautiful cherry wood

Grip: solid cherry, football style

Shaft: solid cherry, oval, 1 1⁄8” x 1 1⁄16”

Blade: solid cherry

Blade Cross Section Style: cambered

Tip Material & Style: casting epoxy, hidden insert

Overall Length: 58” 60”
Shaft Length: 32 ¾” 34”
Blade Length: 25 ½” 26”
Blade Width: 5 3⁄8” 5 7⁄16”
Blade Area (sq in): 112 116
Average Weight (oz): 25 26.5
Usage: solo and tandem deep water paddling (2’ – 2 ½’ minimum)

Sizing your Recreational Paddle
Regardless of the model of straight or bent shaft paddle you have selected, the overall length should be determined by the shaft length from the top of the grip to the throat of the paddle.

The following formula applies: the shaft length should equal the distance from ones shoulder to the water line of the canoe. This will allow you to paddle below your eyes with your upper hand while keeping your lower hand close to the throat.

To determine the approximate length sit erect on a flat hard chair or the floor and measure the distance from the surface to your chin. Add 6” for the approximate distance the canoe seat would be from the waterline. Thus a person whose chin to chair measurement is 26” would add 6” to arrive at a 32” shaft length. Looking at the specifications of our various models you would find that you would probably use a 50” Touring Bent Shaft, a 54” Voyageur or a 56” Chieftain. A one or two inch variation would not have much effect in usage so try for the closest shaft length for the model chosen. Remember to consider that canoe seat heights vary as might a ‘comfort range’ that you might feel more suited to.

The only exception to this rule would be paddles similar to  Grey Owls Hammerhead paddle or other white water paddles. A completely different technique is used for white water canoeing and you may end up adding approximately 12” to your chin to chair length.