What’s everyone’s preference on carbon fiber push pole sizing?
1 1/2" or 1 1/4" diameter- or does it depend?
18, 21 or 24?
Is a protective coating that makes grip better and takes away the need to refinish the pole every few years of value to people?
Is there such thing as too stiff and too limber? What’s your ideal blend of these?
I’m starting with a clean drawing board and am open to ideas for stuff you don’t see on the market right now. I don’t see much need in building stuff that’s exactly like what 3 or 4 companies already sell.
Price: from $276.50
STIFFY? Hybrid Push Poles are an excellent combination of strength, lightweight materials and value. The Hybrid weighs in at only 3.6 oz per foot! The shaft is wrapped with an 80/20 mix of Graphite and E-Glass using the same exclusive proprietary manufacturing process used in our famous STIFFY 100% Graphite poles.
The 22 is about 700. The one I use is going on four years. Light compared to my biscayn fiberglass. Smooth but not slick because of the ribs.
Just enough flex which is hard to explain unless you are poling yourself. I also find myself using it for an anchor stick pin almost ever trip when in a pinch.
I have the 21 foot Stiffy composite and love it. Smooth surface that doesn’t tear up my hands - I don’t use gloves. But ribbed so the grip is solid - never slips. “stiffness” is just right - plenty of flex for stake out but plenty stiff to move the boat.
Rule of thumb that I heard when shopping was get a pole 3 to 4 ft. longer than the boat. I have a 17 ft. flats boat and the 21 ft. pole works great.
quote:Is there such thing as too stiff and too limber? What's your ideal blend of these?
I try to avoid push poles as much as possible anymore, but I like them a little limber, rather than real stiff. I like to push and load the pole with some bend, then relax and let the pole compression push the boat as it unloads, if that makes sense. It takes less effort.
Rough estimate on price? Are you going to put a warranty on them? Single piece?
When I talk to dealers, they are open to “cheap” or “high margin” … or something low-headache and high end.
Cheap = headaches. I’d rather build something I can give a lifetime warranty on and that people will see as innovative and superior to other options.
The action of what I make is going to be the hardest thing to get right, but I’m going to try to listen to as much as I can from people and build until it’s right.
The finish and look for what I see out there leaves a lot of room for improvement, but I’m not sure how much function can be improved. I am going to try to make something lighter and stronger without losing that flex you need to load up and scoot.
I don’t like them having a lot of flex. It’s fine until you get into the mud and you’re trying to push your boat out with a noodle without breaking the pole. I’d much rather have something on the stiffer side. On the other hand, you don’t want something so stiff it becomes brittle or excessively heavy.
There’s a ton of innuendo in this thread that can’t be avoided.
You should think about designing a foot that does better in the mud.
I would me more than happy to try a proto type or two for you and report back my opions after 1st week, first month, first year, etc of usage#128516; 21-foot is ideal for my flats boat, 18 is ideal for my Jon boat. I have always used lower end fiberglass, they are heavy, and full of fibers. I have painted both with two part perfection which takes care of fibers and I really like the finish but would still like a lightweight carbon fiber option just have not been willing to fork over cash most are asking for them. I too would consider a gig pole. My current ones are 12-foot aluminum, they work great, but always worried about bending them when poling down the bank in a hard tide. Keep us posted on what you come upI would be real interested.
for the price