• Happy Marine Mammal Rescue Day! 🐳🐬🦭🦦

New wood paddle from Porter in northern Maine

Robin

Robin

Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
4,602
Reaction score
4,034
Location
Appleton, Maine
I was up in northern Maine last week and picked up a new paddle made by John Porter, son of the original owner/builder of Porters paddles.
I’m not really sure what it is, I thought it was a narrower beavertail, but some might call it an otter tail. Needs more tung oil/sanding/oil.
It’s in between two beavertails here.
Any thoughts?

B1B18C62-EEF0-484E-8CEE-A8F5DD4F6685.jpegE967D671-16A1-409A-B03D-CC85EFC03A9D.jpeg


And here is Lisa DeHart, a Maine guide with some thoughts on Porter paddles and a few other types of paddles too…haha, I love Maine!
 
Looks like a beavertail to me. Do you know what the width is at the widest point. The ones I make usually come in at about 7 1/4 at the widest, and then slightly taper off like the porter one.
 
memaquay said:
Looks like a beavertail to me. Do you know what the width is at the widest point. The ones I make usually come in at about 7 1/4 at the widest, and then slightly taper off like the porter one.
Click to expand...
This is 6” at its widest point.
 
Robin said:
I’m not really sure what it is, I thought it was a narrower beavertail, but some might call it an otter tail.
Click to expand...
It looks to me like a sort of hybrid between a narrow beavertail with the narrowing tip of an ottertail. Also looks similar the the Badger Paddles Tripper but with a shorter blade.

badgerpaddles.com

Tripper - Badger Paddles

Built for serious canoe trippers, the Badger Tripper is a handcrafted ottertail paddle built for backcountry, lake travel, and wilderness routes.
badgerpaddles.com badgerpaddles.com

I expect it will provide less pull and be easier on the shoulders in deep water than your wider traditional beavertails, but be less effective in shallow water due to less tip width.
 
Erica said:
I want one of those leather paddle sheaths!
Click to expand...
Contrary to what is taught in some schools of solo paddling technique, sliding and levering your paddle off the gunwale to provide correction is a traditional technique when using the J, Canadian and Northwoods strokes, or combinations thereof.

I have collected videos on this technique, but keep procrastinating about posting an informational and illustrative thread about it.
 
Glenn MacGrady said:
Contrary to what is taught in some schools of solo paddling technique, sliding and levering your paddle off the gunwale to provide correction is a traditional technique when using the J, Canadian and Northwoods strokes, or combinations thereof.

I have collected videos on this technique, but keep procrastinating about posting an informational and illustrative thread about it.
Click to expand...
Please share those. Becky Masons is not quite right though I love her and she tried; she collected info at an Assembly some 15 years ago I have a leather wrapped paddle that works wonderfully for those gunwale engaging strokes. The leather ensures good and non chafing contact with the gunwales. I do teach it for those interested. I will do an impromptu dry land lesson at a picnic table at the WCHA assembly in July.
You can also do the Northwoods levering off your nearside knee when sitting. You need a fulcrum and it has to be knee or gunwale.

Robin that new paddle ought to be a little easier on the bones than a beavertail. I am always happy to hear a paddle making or a boat making endeavor carries on.
 
Glenn MacGrady said:
It looks to me like a sort of hybrid between a narrow beavertail with the narrowing tip of an ottertail. Also looks similar the the Badger Paddles Tripper but with a shorter blade.
Click to expand...
yellowcanoe said:
Robin that new paddle ought to be a little easier on the bones than a beavertail. I am always happy to hear a paddle making or a boat making endeavor carries on.
Click to expand...

Thanks, once I get it finished I'll report back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Pseudonym
A boat for its trip - poling boat advice
Replies
5
Views
360
Tsuga8
Tsuga8
frogpirate
New paddles, seats, & stuff
Replies
6
Views
508
Gamma1214
Gamma1214
Allegheny Tom
Help, I need to expand my horizons.
Replies
15
Views
1K
sailsman63
S
SouthernKevlar
My First Paddle
Replies
19
Views
2K
Bailan
B
lowangle al
My "new" canoe seat.
Replies
11
Views
1K
ppine
P
Back
Top