I've recently purchased a New 14x27 Sidewinder which should be here late May, so of course I've now turned my eye toward paddles! This is also partly due to stuffing my back up and being laid up for a bit as discussed in a different post!
Anyway, I've been looking at 5 paddles so far (Prices may be a couple of dollars out)
Quickblade V Drive at about $720
Quickblade Trifecta at about $720
KeNalu Mana 90 on 90 Elite Shaft $640
Black Project Hydro 88 $630
Starboard Bolt Large (93) $560
There is plenty to read about most of these paddles, but the question is - is it worth spending the money on 1 of the top four from this list or is the Bolt going to be just as good? If so is it worth looking at the Fanatic and Naish paddles as well? I'm looking to use it for all water paddling and I usually hit the water about three times a week. I'm just not sure on how much one needs to spend to get something pretty decent! The other issue is I won't be in a position to demo many of these anyway as they're not readily available where I live.
Each of those paddles come from China, where they are probably made by a bloke earning a couple of bucks a day who has never seen the ocean.
How on earth do they justify those prices? 
Select to expand quoteLateStarter said..
Each of those paddles come from China, where they are probably made by a bloke earning a couple of bucks a day who has never seen the ocean.
How on earth do they justify those prices?
What makes you say they are all made in China? Some of them arent?
Still They Are all charging too much but us suckers still pay.
I personally like the QB Trifecta more fore its shaft.
Faatic paddles are just as good except their shafts are thicker.
I've got a medium sized bolt and I love it. doesn't release as nicely as a rounded blade but feels like it holds water better at the catch which for me is where I need more help. I went through 3 fanatic paddles (snapping) in as many months perhaps it was a bad batch which i'm sure can happen but unfortunately has put me off them as a paddle brand. I'd be double checking you want a large sized blade in the bolt too.
Select to expand quotestubear said..
I've recently purchased a New 14x27 Sidewinder which should be here late May, so of course I've now turned my eye toward paddles! This is also partly due to stuffing my back up and being laid up for a bit as discussed in a different post!
Anyway, I've been looking at 5 paddles so far (Prices may be a couple of dollars out)
Quickblade V Drive at about $720
Quickblade Trifecta at about $720
KeNalu Mana 90 on 90 Elite Shaft $640
Black Project Hydro 88 $630
Starboard Bolt Large (93) $560
There is plenty to read about most of these paddles, but the question is - is it worth spending the money on 1 of the top four from this list or is the Bolt going to be just as good? If so is it worth looking at the Fanatic and Naish paddles as well? I'm looking to use it for all water paddling and I usually hit the water about three times a week. I'm just not sure on how much one needs to spend to get something pretty decent! The other issue is I won't be in a position to demo many of these anyway as they're not readily available where I live.
nice paddles choice stubear, just make sure you get the right size to suite you.
Select to expand quotepetedorries said..LateStarter said..
Each of those paddles come from China, where they are probably made by a bloke earning a couple of bucks a day who has never seen the ocean.
How on earth do they justify those prices?
What makes you say they are all made in China? Some of them arent?
Still They Are all charging too much but us suckers still pay.
Try the naish ones ...made in Thailand .
i like em .
Select to expand quoteCarterSUPhysio said..
I've got a medium sized bolt and I love it. doesn't release as nicely as a rounded blade but feels like it holds water better at the catch which for me is where I need more help. I went through 3 fanatic paddles (snapping) in as many months perhaps it was a bad batch which i'm sure can happen but unfortunately has put me off them as a paddle brand. I'd be double checking you want a large sized blade in the bolt too.
Yes I'm with Carter - be sure you really want a large blade before ordering the Bolt in large. Otherwise, it's a great paddle. Starboard paddles went off the boil for a couple of years when they messed about too much with the shape. Now they're back on song. Super light weight with a range of shaft flex options and choice of oval or round shaft. Really the best of all worlds in my opinion.*
* Full disclosure - Starboard team rider so opinion is biased.
Hi Stu,
I use the KeNalu Mana 82 with my Sidewinder & swear by them...I also have the KeNalu Konihi 95 which I've had for nearly 3 years & have done 2 Hawkesbury's & tonnes of km's with but find the Mana works so much better especially over long distances & down wind with it's quick release...
I think when you average out the km's & use you'll get the $$$$ aren't too much of a problem....It's like buying cheap ski or snowboard boots to go with your expensive skis or snowboard 
I do really like the Starboard Bolt & it's good value...
I'm 6'4 and 85kgs, hence thinking the bigger blade. That being said, I was thinking the Large in Bolt is only 93". The largest in the Black Project is 88". The Trifecta I was thinking the 86 and the V Drive I was thinking the 91. Clearly the Mana 90 is self explanatory! So basically, all the blade sizes are around the 90" mark - is that still classed as a 'big blade'?
yup - particularly with the square shaped blade of the bolt - bigger surface area. I'm 6 foot and 90kg and I use the medium size and when I actually train (pete can have a laugh at that one) I manage to paddle just fine with it. I.e not under powered, or slipping in the water etc etc. Big size in the bolt is BIG. P.s I have no association with starboard or any other paddle brand.... the other best thing to do is try some different brands from fellow paddlers of a similar height
Stubear,
I'm 6'2" and 105kg and am about to downsize from a L to a M in a Starboard Bolt. As CarterSUPhysio mentioned, the catch in the Bolt is superb and as a result it feels like a larger blade than it really is. I love the large for general DWing, but it just gives a little too much burn for longer distance and racing, hence the change. If you are coming off a back injury it may be even more important to go smaller.Any of those brands mentioned are great paddles, but I would recommend sub-90" with your body weight, probably even sub-85". You'll appreciate it long term.
Select to expand quotecrazybula said..
Stubear,
I'm 6'2" and 105kg and am about to downsize from a L to a M in a Starboard Bolt. As CarterSUPhysio mentioned, the catch in the Bolt is superb and as a result it feels like a larger blade than it really is. I love the large for general DWing, but it just gives a little too much burn for longer distance and racing, hence the change. If you are coming off a back injury it may be even more important to go smaller.Any of those brands mentioned are great paddles, but I would recommend sub-90" with your body weight, probably even sub-85". You'll appreciate it long term.
Will you use that L still when you are DWing for fun (eg, lake DW)
I too have considered downsizing and would like to hear your opinion...
Select to expand quoteLateStarter said..
Each of those paddles come from China, where they are probably made by a bloke earning a couple of bucks a day who has never seen the ocean.
How on earth do they justify those prices?
I agree. I think they are over priced. In the ocean ski world you can buy an olympic level braca paddle for the same price. And it has two blades!
Select to expand quotechucktheskiffie said..crazybula said..
Stubear,
I'm 6'2" and 105kg and am about to downsize from a L to a M in a Starboard Bolt. As CarterSUPhysio mentioned, the catch in the Bolt is superb and as a result it feels like a larger blade than it really is. I love the large for general DWing, but it just gives a little too much burn for longer distance and racing, hence the change. If you are coming off a back injury it may be even more important to go smaller.Any of those brands mentioned are great paddles, but I would recommend sub-90" with your body weight, probably even sub-85". You'll appreciate it long term.
Will you use that L still when you are DWing for fun (eg, lake DW)
I too have considered downsizing and would like to hear your opinion...
Yes Chuckie boy. I still intend to use the L for DWing, especially when 20+ knots - it has a really nice blade flick mid-stroke for speed maintenance on big bumps and big winds. In anything but optimum DW conditions a M is a better size especially when you need a higher cadence. I never realised how much water the L would grab despite being only 93 Sq inches.
You may also want to look at Blackfish Paddles. A lesser known brand here but made in one of the main brand factories. Comparable to the best in the business. I've just swapped to these and they are awesome. The two main paddles I have are the Race and the Andaman.
"The other issue is I won't be in a position to demo many of these anyway as they're not readily available where I live."
Where do you live?
Hey guys, thanks for all the great points. I was thinking a large paddle size would be more like the 96 plus, so that's great to know. In regards to where I'm at I live in Tassie so I can get my hands on a Bolt from my local shop, but the others would need to be ordered in, then its a bit rich if I say order it in for me, I try it, then I tell them it's not for me.
Im in Melbs for a conference at the end of May, so I might head into The Zu and maybe SHQ/Core - they look as though they have a fair selection?
plus you've all got me rethinking a few things too!
Select to expand quoteStumpi said..
You may also want to look at Blackfish Paddles. A lesser known brand here but made in one of the main brand factories. Comparable to the best in the business. I've just swapped to these and they are awesome. The two main paddles I have are the Race and the Andaman.
Are they ok to use in the surf?
Select to expand quotestubear said..
Hey guys, thanks for all the great points. I was thinking a large paddle size would be more like the 96 plus, so that's great to know. In regards to where I'm at I live in Tassie so I can get my hands on a Bolt from my local shop, but the others would need to be ordered in, then its a bit rich if I say order it in for me, I try it, then I tell them it's not for me.
Im in Melbs for a conference at the end of May, so I might head into The Zu and maybe SHQ/Core - they look as though they have a fair selection?
plus you've all got me rethinking a few things too!
Also kite republic sup at st kilda.
Select to expand quotebobajob said..Stumpi said..
You may also want to look at Blackfish Paddles. A lesser known brand here but made in one of the main brand factories. Comparable to the best in the business. I've just swapped to these and they are awesome. The two main paddles I have are the Race and the Andaman.
Are they ok to use in the surf?
The race not so much as its High aspect, the Andaman is extremely good as an all round paddle and works well in the surf. They do also have a dedicated surf paddle. I've not used this one, I just used the Andaman.
The Andaman is a great downwind all round paddle, the Blackfish Nookta is what my son (sponsored by Blackfish) and i use in the surf, strong light and great feel for surfing, the silver blade.
Keep an eye out for the new 2018 Starboard Bolt, game changer!!
