The Northwoods is
a bent-shaft touring paddle for canoe touring and tripping.
It can be ordered with shaft bends of either 10-degree or
14-degree. The blade is an 8-1/2” by 19” tulip shape
and is made with a book-match western cedar core.
The grip is hand-formed to provide the power of a palm grip,
yet has some aspects of a Tee grip for improved control of
the paddle.
We are often asked which angle is the best . . .
. Many years ago Dave Curtis, who started Curtis
Canoes and now owns Hemlock Boat Works, gave us the best answer:
“When you bend the shaft forward, the increased angle makes
control strokes more difficult. Therefore, if you have a boat
with a straight keel line and primarily go from point A to
point B quickly, then the 14- degree is the the best.
If you use a boat with some rocker in the keel line and prefer
the increased power of the bent shaft, a 10-degree is best.”
As an example, if you use a Winonah canoe and paddle the Boundary
Waters, use a 14 degree. If you paddle almost any Mad River
or Old Town a 10-degree is preferable. This may
sound different than what you hear at your local shop, but
they may be offering what they have. We want to build what
will work best for you.
One final word on paddle sizing,
an inch too short is ok, but an inch too long will feel wrong
in only a few minutes of paddling.
Average Weight: 20 oz.
Lengths: from 48 to
54” in 1” increments
Blade Area:
137” sq.
Price:
$170- Northwoods
I have had to increase the price due to the cost increase
for the western cedar. It has gone up 25% in the past
year and that is before the proposed 29% duty on Canadian
softwoods. Most of the “A and better cedar” I use comes
from British Columbia.
