Chieftain Paddle

Chieftain Paddle Description

Grey Owl’s finest all-around solo paddle with a medium flex. Made from choice black cherry with football style grip and an oval shaft. Cambered blade with very fine edges and hidden plastic tip insert.

Features: 

• 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
• Finish:   your choice of high gloss exterior polyurethane with a UV block or boiled linseed oil

Sizing your Traditional Paddle

Regardless of the model of the 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 one 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 will 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 on usage, so try to find 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.