When I am paddling around I tend to get a hard pull to the right when I am going along, am I paddleing wrong and is there a science to it? I am right handed so I was wondering if that had something to do with it. Also the paddle I have is the one that came with the Yak and it is a straight blade paddle. Are the curved ones better? My Yak isn;t tracking like 90 degrees off usually it is just a little off but every once in a while I get this draw to the right and I make a lot of niose trying to get back on track. Thanks for the help in advance guys.
I don’t lie about the fish I catch… I just remember them bigger…
ok, first off - the straight blade paddles aren’t where its at. reason: imagine swimming or paddling a surfboard w/ your hands flat instead of cupped, not smart right? well, the scooped paddles move more water along the boat which equals more speed … definitely invest in a good, light paddle much…in my opinion way more important than all that high priced gear kayak fishermen think they need
second, as for the tracking issues — i’ve found this to be a problem w/ a lot of the people i’ve guided … most people, even really athletic people, have a tendancy to paddle wrong – most people dig in w/ strokes and pull the paddle back through the water, that wastes power and only makes you go faster in bursts not hold speed over distance (not to mention tire ya out) – AND this explains your tracking problems, most people are stronger on one side of their body than the others, when you “dig” you’re using your biceps and back muscles, and if your a rightie you’re probably favoring your right side
the power in good paddling technique comes from pushing w/ the hand opposite the side you’re hitting the water (when you move the blade over your head!) … think about it like punching instead of pulling back. one way to test your form is to keep a very light grip on the bar, the best paddlers paddle w/ a loose grip … also, consider wrapping your thumb around the bar so all fingers are over, this is a new trick that i’ve found really helps all your energy go where its needed, forward (not the side to side action that goes along w/ having a more traditional grip)…
ha, really long winded there, but this stuff is very important…if i wasn’t clear lemme know and i’ll try to explain better
Mornin’;
…he’s right. Loosen the grip, all five over the shaft and “Push” or punch. You’ll see a Huge difference. Kayak stroke isn’t in the “Shoulder and Arms”, it should be in the Abs…or Trunk. Check out the http://www.sctrails.net/Trails/ALLTRAILS/WaterTrails/PADDLESPORT.html(best kept secret in SC) Find a local route over 4-5 mi. and “Run it”. You’ll see. After a time or two you’ll get the hang of it:sunglasses: fish on:smiley:
Sometimes the kayaks are not true and can be difficulty to paddle. One of the guys loaned a another fisherman a yak for a tournament and the loanee paddled it for three days and even left on foot over the side to get it to go straight. When he got done, he told the loaner that it didn’t track right. The loaner said I know, I was wondereing when you were gonna bring it back.
Sometimes you can mess up the yak by leavaing it out in the sun, or by the way you store it. It will cause the yak to bend.
P4R… MUCH THANKS! Those trails look like a ton of fun. I may even be able to talk tthe wife and kids into paddling along I have to go to Texas for about 10 days here this weekend but as soon as I get back I am going to be checking these trails out. Great link and Great info! Thanks!
I don’t lie about the fish I catch… I just remember them bigger…
I agree, curved paddles that are assymetric are generally better than “flat or straight” bladed paddles… but has nothing to do with your tracking problem. The advantage is mainly in the blade angle as it is initially being placed in the water on the forward stroke (more vertical to the water surface, therefore more efficient). All of the comments above are valid and useful, but let me add one more simple thing that you may be overlooking… are you balanced in your kayak? In other words, if your boat is ever so slightly leaning to one side, it will not track straight. This could be due to load imbalance or even if your body or head is off to one side when paddling or when you stop paddling and your gliding to a stop.
I’m no fisherman, but I do know kayaks… hull design is very important and many designs are more susceptable to this than others.
oh… one more simple thing… make sure each hand is an equal distance from the end (or center) of the paddle… You’d be surprised how many people don’t check for that…
