Paddle Collection

 10 May 23:

We have a few paddles, useful for their own size and shape on different boats. Shorter paddles go well with the smaller boats while longer paddles match up with the Grumman 17 canoe and our lapstrake runabout. 

(L-R) The first paddle on the left was inherited from Skipper's parents, they kind of bought paddles as a hobby and this one found our Armada. It is a nice size for Skipper, she's the natural paddler in the family, while I slip back into Marine Corps mode and try to beat the water into submission. This paddle's main assignment is to our punt SCUPPERS and the Nutshell Pram EXCUSE ME.

The second paddle from the left was my Uncle Kent's paddle, it even has his name stencilled on it, K. L. BLAIR. Uncle Kent provided my Summer entertainment growing up, from the age of 9 up until 16. We explored East Texas lakes with a variety of motorboats, scaring fish away with drowned worms. If you ask Skipper to read his name aloud though, she says "Audrey." We love the shape and the weight, this paddle rides in the Penobscot 14 most times, and has been spotted propelling the 1880s Mississippi River Skiff BARBASHELA.

In the middle is a the Adventure paddle from Voyageur, very light, stiff and a good size for the Grumman 17 SCOUT. We have 2 of those, courtesy of Skipper's parents Capn Jack and the Commodore. Here we are trying to look serious for a photo shoot, with Skipper skidding us into the turn to keep us in good range and good light for the photographer. As Webb knows, I'm there for ballast and Skipper and SCOUT's amusement.

Paddle #4, I can't really remember when and where it showed up, but it appeared around the same time we commissioned our Sorg 15 Runabout WILLOW. It is branded Featherlight but I can guarantee you that it is not. Its attributes are being sturdy and long. Skipper used it primarily to fend off of our pier in Florida when we launched from the cradle lift, that was a challenging confined spot to launch from in shallow water. Also handy to repel boarders.

The paddle on the far right is our new Shaw and Tenney 1897 style blade, crafted from spruce. Very light, the blade shape lends itself to long range canoe cruising in quieter waters compared to the Adventure's spatula blade that moves a lot of water fast. It will be easier on joints and muscles as we head around the local creeks with SCOUT...when the creek is up...

Stay tuned,

Clark and Skipper