I bought a new paddle this spring.  (On April 8th, to be exact.)  It's a Lendal 4-piece breakdown with a carbon fiber shaft and carbon fiber Fusion blades.  I've used it 11 river days so far and have liked it a lot.  Last Saturday (May 16th) I didn't like it so much.

It was on the Sauk.  I ran it Friday with Texas Dave, Arn, and Deborah, then camped locally so I could run it again Saturday on Gabe's PP-posted trip.  We were probably only 20 minutes into the (Saturday) run and I was just drifting down a shallow Class II riffle when my left blade bumped a submerged rock.  It was just a light "thunk" but I soon discovered that my left blade was now missing!

At first, I thought the cam lock had come loose and released, but what really happened is that the little stub of shaft glued into the neck of the blade came unglued!  See photo:  http://picasaweb.google.com/doggievacation/LendalPaddleComesUnglued#5337196133392158994

I blew my whistle to get everyone's attention and at least one person saw the blade when it momentarily fluttered up to the surface, but then it was gone for good. Fortunately, Wiggins had a spare break-down paddle with him (Thanks, Kyle!), so that's what I finished the run with.

I e-mailed Johnson Outdoors in Ferndale this morning (Johnson now owns Lendal, plus that's where I bought the paddle) so we'll see what they do.  I'm asking for a complete replacement (both blades) since there's a chance the other blade will also come unglued.  Please let me know if you've ever heard of a similar story.  (With Lendal or any other paddle manufacturer.)

Thx,
John

If it doesn't work out with Lendal, I think this place caters to kayakers 

I guess today is my deal for dealing with returned gear:

First, the Lendal brokedown... no word from Johnson Outdoors about why the glue failed, but they will replace the blades for me (both of them) and I hope to pick them up next week.  Good on J.O.

Second, I called Werner about returning a 4-piece Rio paddle I've had laying around for some time.  This paddle was recalled due to some problem with the nylon blades failing to fit well on the fiberglass shaft.  Werner is replacing the blades only, not the shaft.  I do like the way Werner sends you a UPS shipping number (charged back to them) so you don't have to pay for shipping or drive to the shop.  Good on Werner.

Third, I sent an old (and I do mean old) pair of Black Mamba Pogies back to NRS and they are shipping me a new pair under warranty.  I've had these pogies for almost ten years and have re-sewn the Velcro back on them at least three times during that period.  When the Velcro started ripping off again this spring, I said to fuck it! I'm tired of dealing with something that wasn't made properly to begin with.  So instead of just going out and buying a new pair, I got pissed and asked for a replacement.  Good on NRS for mollifying with a cheap ass Scotsman!

So... three pitches and three home runs.  I am really happy that so many kayak gear manufacturers stand by their products.  I wish I could say the same about other corporations I've had to deal with in the past about defective goods or failed services, but this is a start.

John

You are gonna be really happy with the Werner, I know I am.

Just curious- are you using the 4 piece as a 'primary' paddle?

I used a wavedog... and quiet honestly wetmouse (saltydog today) you would have never known what they were like if you did not get some first hand experience with it. A photo doesn't give enough detail to judge.

So don't hate on the folks that try something new out of curiousity. Its an all wood paddle with rhino lining on the blades. Does it suck, Yes, do they break easy, Yes. But cmon dood ... I was just trying it out !!!!

I was attracted to it because I like wood paddles and the photos don't show the blade thickness that well. ... man your really in a ripper mood today mr salty

Now you know as well as I do that peanuttle is my weakness so lets leave that out of any reference to wavedog. Other than the simple statement ... salty nuts.

Mmm Kay

Reason why I asked the question is that I'm under the impression that single models or units are far more durable than the four piece options that do exist.  Yes, I do realize that Lendals are indeed 'the' 4pce paddle and have the advantage that they travel easily, but question whether they would stand-up to abuse through prolonged use, as opposed to a single shaft unit.  Not really sure though, just raising a question....    

I have both a Lendal and a Werner.  The Werner is a bent-shaft Stikine.  The Lendal is a 4-piece carbon bent shaft with carbon composite blade (same blade that John had on his "unglued" paddle).  The *ONLY* reason I bought the Lendal paddle was after an airline luggage belt decided to snap my Werner paddle in half (luckily, the airline replaced it).  If I had to choose one for paddling and travel was not a consideration, the Werner wins for me.

Having said that, here are some specifics.  Remember, this is all just one lousy boater's opinion.  Both paddles feel stiff and responsive.  I actually like the catch of the Lendal blade slightly more than the Werner blade though occasionally find that it flutters a bit if I'm not careful with my blade placement.  The Werner paddle is significantly lighter and you feel less tired after paddling all day.  The Lendal paddle has a finger board that provides better positive indexing than the Werner.  The Lendal paddle is far superior for travel.  Not just because of the issue of airline breakage but also for hopping in other forms of public transit, etc.

If I had a complaint about the Lendal paddle, it would be that the design of the bent shaft Lendal paddle forces a bit of a compromise on how I grip the paddle.  If you want to grab the sweet spot of the bend of the paddle, it is offset towards the center of the shaft by a couple of inches.  Instead, to maintain a "paddler's box" geometry, I have to grab the shaft practically on the bend.  Of course, I could get a somewhat longer shaft but that would involve a different compromise.  Paddlers that are under my height (6'2") using a 197cm paddle might not have as much of a compromise.  More than the weight or stiffness, this is my biggest complaint about the Lendal paddle and the one that relegates the Lendal paddle to "travel only" for me.


Edited by arnobarno - 19 May 2009 at 8:43pm