CRICKET DESIGNS SPORT PADDLES

The Gemini series of paddles are built for sport/freestyle paddlers for the best in water performance . These sport paddles are characterized by a square ended blade(it's still quite rounded) rather than the rounder ended touring blades and slightly softer shoulders on the blade enhancing the ability to wrap the blade around the canoe. The blades are a tapering diamond shape to flat at the tip making the large blades very stiff and keeping the optimum cros-section for smooth in water recovery strokes. The dynel blade edges are very strong and allow the edges to be very fine for minimal water resistance. The shaft is built to be both light and fairly still with a minimum of flex just above the blade, enough to relieve the pressure, not lose control. The grip is a classic Canadian palm grip shaped for an good, comfortable fit in the hand.

The Gemini's can also be made as a bent shaft paddles for the tandem freestylers. I start with a 10 degree bent shaft than put the same symmetrical blade on it that is used on the straight shaft. This gives the same in water performance as a straight shaft with the added reach that the tandem canoers like. The net effect of the blade and shaft is a bend of about 12degrees. The grip is a modified Cobra grip which combines the ideas of a bent shaft directional grip and the symmetrical canadian style grip. This grip is a softened version of the original sharp edged Cobra grip developed by Charley Wilson.

MATERIALS: The blade is laminated from strips of book matched vertical grain western red cedar , the strip widths vary on each paddle but range from 3/8" to 1-3/8" wide. The shaft is laminated from vertical grain western red cedar and ash. The ash center core thickness can be varied to make a slightly more flexible shaft on request.

The Gemini's are very similar in construction to the Honey Island Cruiser's the blade is reshaped as detailed above and the throat of the blade is more of a diamond shape than sculpted Honey Island, it adds a slight amount of weight(under one ounce) but improves the in-the-water performance.

GEMINI IV

SPECIFICATIONS

BLADE SIZE: 8-1/2"X 24", Softened slope shoulders with a tip that is more squared than rounded. The blade cross section is shaped in a continually tapering diamond shape to optimize in water performance. The blade is reinforced with dynel edges and tip and a partial epoxy-fiberglass sheet.

SHAFT: The shaft is oval shaped with nominal dimensions off 1-1/4" x 1-1/8". The shaft has a fiberglass shaft sleeve 14" long to protect the wood from the inevitable contact with the boat gunnel.

GRIP: The grip is a classic Canadian style palm grip. The grip can be reduced in size to fit smaller hands

FINISHES: The blade and shaft are sealed in 3 coats of epoxy for durability, then varnish with a minimum of 3 coats of polyurethane. The Grip is sealed with 3 coats of Watco exterior oil, this finish gives a soft, smooth finish that can take further oiling, while the while providing a penetrating seal to protect the paddle from water damage.

Weight: A 35" shaft paddle will weigh about 25 ounces.

Shaft lengths available- 33-36" recommended, shorter is possible, however the paddle balance may be affected.

GEMINI V

SPECIFICATIONS

BLADE SIZE: 8"X 22-1/2" Softened slope shoulders with a tip that is more squared than rounded. The blade cross section is shaped in a continually tapering diamond shape to optimize in water performance. The blade is reinforced with dynel edges and tip and a partial epoxy-fiberglass sheet.

SHAFT: The shaft is oval shaped with nominal dimensions off 1-1/4" x 1-1/8". The shaft has a fiberglass shaft sleeve 14" long to protect the wood from the inevitable contact with the boat gunnel. We can also make a reduced size shaft paddle for smaller paddlers.

GRIP: The grip is a classic Canadian style palm grip. The grip can be reduced in size to fit smaller hands

FINISHES: The blade and shaft are sealed in 3 coats of epoxy for durability, then varnish with a minimum of 3 coats of polyurethane. The Grip is sealed with 3 coats of Watco exterior oil, this finish gives a soft, smooth finish that can take further oiling, while the while providing a penetrating seal to protect the paddle from water damage.

Weight: A 33"shaft paddle will weigh about 23 ounces.

Shaft lengths available- 30-36" .

Costs

GEMINI IV AND GEMINI V $255

All Gemini's are built to order.