Moreover, once loose, of course it's very difficult to paddle with the feathering angle changing and shifting as you apply force. I had tested my AT paddle at 240cm and found it long enough to accommodate my wide boat when paddling sitting down, as you normally would a kayak. But the real reason for the 3-stars-only review is the ferrule. After a day tour working as a volunteer sweeper for an amateur tour group I was not at all tired out even though as a "sweeper" you are constantly moving and keeping an eye on the crowd and helping people learn kayaking (42 newbies!). Given it's marketed as a kayak paddle, I have to give it props as a nice one. The ultimate combination of technology and handcrafted beauty, the Navigator is lightweight, resilient, and buoyant. December 8, 2018 jkincy. I solo paddle a Wenonah Heron canoe quite a bit. The material combination provides unique flex and the unmatched fit and finish you … It wasn't a "speed" paddle like the Manta Ray but it was much more efficient in transitioning energy to the water. The shaft has the typical 3 position button which was fine, but the Manta Ray had an infinite adjustment coupling which I really liked. The drip rings are good and firm so they stay put. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. But when I'm on the water hours at a time, it's great to be able to switch between standing and sitting. This new kayak paddle from Bending Branches sports a classic natural look but has the same feel and durability that makes Bending Branches paddles the best around. Lightweight, gorgeous wood paddle connected with carbon fiber. Very pleasing and comfortable grip surface. While the smallish blade will not provide great power, it is perfect for most of the paddling I do these days. The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. I love the stiffness -- nothing like a carbon shaft. Bending Branches ... Bending Branches Whisper Paddle - 2-Piece Snap-Button. The first thing I appreciated was the effortless paddling. They use a blend of red alder and roasted basswood in construction and it has a beautiful old school look to it. With practice, a good stroke will become automatic even in wind and waves. The ferrule is top-notch--I have the three-hole button type--so break down is easy. fiberglass for durability. They're aluminum, but not particularly heavy. Some of the Bending Branches promotional videos showed paddlers using the Navigator Angler to push off rocks, and described using it standing up in the shallows while angling, so I assumed this paddle would be up to poling up shallow sections of a river. Also check out our Bending Branches … All I know is, this is the finest paddle I could ever ask for. Adding to that, it's the coolest look of all my paddles, and I appreciated that it costs significantly less than the Athena. Performance was only a secondary consideration since I had other paddles for that Since it ha proved to have that as well. The Catalyst is a sustainable canoe paddle. I use this for flat water but probably will not for potentially rocky rivers. 95. The first issue is one I'd consider a design flaw. The paddle's stiffness puts all of the paddle motion directly into the water. It's a wide (36" at the widest), stable boat, and so I often paddle it standing up in flat water. I do not treat it much differently now than I did my resin and fiberglass one. The blade is now made out of rich-looking red adler and roasted basswood, compared to the previous black willow wood. Bending Branches Angler Navigator Bending Branches. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. So, I assumed the Navigator, at 240cm fully extended, would be long enough. If you want a good looking paddle for all day use, look at this one. Of course, if the wind picks up or there are obstacles, I return to sitting, paddling it like a kayak with a double-bladed paddle. The Navigator with a snap-button ferrule comes is lengths from 210cm to 240cm, in 10 cm increments. I love the ferrule -- which allows easy locking from 215 to 230 cm, and 60-degree left or right. Thank you, Bending Branches! It's too bad, as otherwise this would probably be a 5-star paddle. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2016, Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2013. I initially bought this paddle for its great looks and light weight. I love to use the paddle -- every time I see it go into and come out of the water, I'm just super-pleased to be out on the water with such a fine piece of equipment. As such, it builds better paddling tone and requires more attention to form. I love the look -- wood blades on a carbon shaft. I inaugurated my new Navigator on a 3-day trip on the Oswegatchie, a small river in the Adirondacks. Constructed from the highly-durable and aesthetically pleasing black willow wood, the Navigator is one of the most attractive paddles … First to describe the design: the Navigator's blades are laminated black willow wood with clear fiberglass and epoxy coating and "Rock Guard" along most of the edges. I also used this paddle with my sea kayak (fully collapsed to it's 225cm length). The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. The carbon fiber shaft is bonded to a beautifully designed touring blade and the fit and finish looked very good. Bending Branches Angler Navigator Carbon Paddle. For expedition paddling, I prefer a Werner Athena, and for day trips I use the Bending Branches Navigator. Here at Bending Branches, we build all of our paddles to order (much like a fast food restaurant), so paddles do not collect dust or become dated. ... Goodreads Book reviews & … Because there is no spine on the power face, there is no cavity on the back side of the blade, which means that there's few or none of those power-robbing vortices which can form at the ends of the blade--if you have a proper paddle stroke. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. I have used the Navigator sea kayak paddle for two seasons. It is stiff, lightweight, high-tech and classic in design -- all in one. I already had a perfectly fine carbon paddle -- then I saw this one and had to have it. Main complaint is that the carbon on the shaft has chipped on one edge at the ferrule joint, and compared to some other similar ferrules the joint is a little stickier. I have never had an issue with the ferrule on my AT Search coming loose no matter what I've pushed off (which is within reason - any paddle will break if you're being unreasonable). The Navigator comes with either a snug-fitting traditional 3 hole snap-button ferrule (adjustable for feathering angles 0° and 60°, L or R) or a more versatile telescoping ferrule with infinite feathering angles. Ultra lightweight, T-700 carbon shaft Proven blade design made of rich-looking red alder & roasted basswood, with more flex than composite paddles Each blade is I love the wood blades -- beautifully crafted, yet strongly protected with rockguard and fiberglass. The bright yellow paddles are a nice safety feature, and the decorative, wide-yellow strip … $299.95) (No reviews yet) Write a Review. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. I waxed nostalgic for the look of the wood paddle but it needed some work so I decided to look for options, After much research and considering my kayaking ability and general usage I came across the Bending Branches Navigator, a blend of new and old technology. The Angler Navigator comes with a snug-fitting 3 hole snap-button ferrule that allows for adjustable feather angles of 0° and 60°, left or right hand control. Due to a raw material shortage, the Angler Navigator will ship in mid-December. The river has a fair bit of rocks, but also sandy and muddy banks and bottom. And the weight is carried to the blades rather than the shaft so it works very well. Watch the video for a full product overview. I very quickly discovered two flaws with my new paddle/boat/style combination. Bending Branches showcases the new Angler Navigator kayak paddle at Paddlesports Retailer. Nice paddle, but with a design flaw...I got this paddle hoping it would satisfy a blend of paddling styles. As soon as you place your order, a real person in our Osceola, Wisconsin factory will start preparing your paddle. Here at Bending Branches, we build all of our paddles to order (much like a fast food restaurant), so paddles do not collect dust or become dated. Aside from the blade material, the spechs remain and gives the same smooth pull through the water. The Bending Branches Angler Navigator Plus Hybrid Wood 2-Piece Kayak Paddle - The Bending Branches Angler Navigator Plus Hybrid Wood 2-Piece Kayak Paddle has a proven blade design that is more flexible than composite paddles. I rather wish it went further along the top edge, too, though the paddle has proven to be adequately durable--indeed, more durable than I first thought. Being able to find the most comfortable length and feather is a great option. The Navigator’s shaft is made of aviation-grade T-700 carbon, and its blades are hand-crafted of beautiful hardwoods. The shaft is carbon fiber with very slight oval indexing. Please try again later. Going upstream and around sharp bends and obstacles, having a paddle suddenly come loose and spin while you're pushing off a bank is extremely frustrating. I decided to purchase one and it arrived just in time for my next outing to the lake. The other thing I noticed was that it, to me, seemed like it was a lot "quieter" in the water than my old paddle. Handcrafted from a combination of basswood, roasted basswood, red alder, and maple remnants from other Bending Branches first-quality paddles, giving new life to what might have gone to waste. The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. The paddle fit together very well and had no "wobble" feel at all when assembled. The reason I like the Navigator for day trips is that it is slightly heavier than the Athena and notably less forgiving. The blade tip and leading edge are protected with Bending Branches’ proprietary “Rockguard”, which resists nicks and chips. in.) The forward stroke is probably its optimum stroke due to the blades' shape, and the paddle makes it easy to maintain good speed for long distances without fatigue. Please try again later. The Explorer Plus canoe paddle is made for durability. Like wooden paddles in general and Bending Branches paddles in particular, the Navigator feels alive in the water. I love this paddle, but my rating deserves some qualifications due to the learning curve. In the Navigator, Bending Branches has combined high-tech, ultra lightweight, T-700 carbon shaft material with a proven blade design made out of rich-looking black willow wood. The blade is also significantly curved, so it catches quickly. Read reviews for the Navigator by Bending Branches as submitted by your fellow paddlers. Angler Navigator and Angler Pro (in Radiant) kayak fishing paddles (photo courtesy of Justin Floyd) We’ll show you how they’re alike and how they’re different so you can make your best choice: Angler Pro and Angler Pro Carbon Kayak Fishing Paddles The Angler Pro has … Even though I’ve been kayaking flat water, sloughs have weird currents that are grabby. This page works best with JavaScript. I regularly use three paddles. The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. You might not think 10cm (<4in) shaft length would matter, but it's definitely noticeable. Also works well for solo canoe paddling. Bending Branches Navigator Kayak Fishing Paddle Review After receiving it from the shipper, the first impression I had of the Bending Branches “Navigator” paddle was that I would probably hang it up on wall rather than use it. I have several paddles and find that switching between them requires a "rethink" of your technique but the Bending Branches Navigator felt like I had been using it for years after about 1 hour of paddling. The fly shop has given me great advice and help with the kayak & recommended the Navigator paddle. That is what the BB Navigator does, and does very well. After careful consideration with my current paddle and reading reviews, I opted for the Navigator over the Navigator Angler, since both have more blade surface than the AT Search, and it seemed like 240cm was enough length in my canoe. Each blade is sealed in with 2 oz. This paddle has a large, beefy blade (126 sq. In hindsight this should have been obvious, but it didn't occur to me at all. For added durability, the blades are wrapped in fiberglass and protected with a Rockgard edge around the blade. The Navigator’s shaft is made of aviation-grade T-700 carbon, and its blades are hand-crafted of beautiful hardwoods. The second issue I have is certainly not a design flaw, but something to be aware of when buying this paddle without trying it. As a 69 year young novice female kayaker, I was looking for a lightweight recreational kayak & a compatible paddle. After three years of kayak ownership, I'm not experienced enough to compare to every paddle available. At one point I pushed off in the mud and found I'd left half the paddle stuck in the mud, and had to maneuver back with the half I had left to retrieve the other half. This light paddle flicks quickly to either side for more efficient corrections. I could not ask for a paddle, and would be surprised if one exists. I’ve had much better control with the Navigator. Read and submit reviews for the Navigator. I was a little concerned how the ferrel would hold up, but I have had no trouble with it so far. The blade section is really a masterpiece of form and function. In addition to that they have a rock guard protective strip on the blade and we all know what that means! A poor or careless stroke causes a lot of flutter and the paddle may feel like it will be snatched from your hands. I'd been using an Adventure Tech (AT) Search Angler paddle that telescopes from 240-250cm, which has been great, but I wanted something with more of a symmetrical blade, and one that would take to steering strokes a little more smoothly while I paddle standing up (I do this paddle-board style, using only one blade and alternating sides, or poling in shallow water). Bending Branches Navigator Paddle – Review. Bottom line: This is a paddle that amply rewards practice and good form. The positive flotation is appreciable. This paddle is light, functional and beautiful, capable of touring all day efficiently. I love having the ability to stand up, stretch, and scout ahead to spot obstacles or wildlife, etc. Read reviews for the Angler Navigator by Bending Branches as submitted by your fellow paddlers. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. Any slight torque of the wrist and the paddle, which I had fully extended, would slide back to it's shortest length. When I learned the construction combined fiberglass & wood I was excited to give one a try, knowing the combination would give me a lightweight paddle resulting in little fatigue with use. Due to a raw material shortage, the Angler Navigator will ship in mid-December. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. OMG heaven... my paddling improved monumentally. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Whether in a kayak or canoe, I do lots of swamp and river paddling, and having a paddle that's unreliable when pushing off mud or sand due to the ferrule, especially when you're dealing with a current and strainers on a river, is a real issue in my opinion. The Navigator Plus comes with a more versatile telescoping ferrule with infinite feathering angles. I usually carry a Wind Swift as my wind/spare paddle. Above all, this is a truly beautiful paddle, a piece of art which gets noticed and will take you about anywhere you can paddle a sea kayak. Bending Branches Whisper 2-Piece Snap-Button Recreational Kayak Paddle; (Aluminium Shaft/Black Blade - 230cm) ... BENDING BRANCHES Angler Navigator Hybrid Wood 2-Piece Kayak Paddle. It has beautiful black willow blades and a checkered carbon shaft, and is absolutely beautiful. The Angler Navigator has a … When I switch to the Athena after working out with the Navigator, I feel like superman. As soon as you place your order, a real person in our Osceola, Wisconsin factory will start preparing your paddle. Being wood, the blades are very buoyant compared to plastic ones, and so the paddle is very lively in the water and easy to retrieve at the end of the stroke, which also really cuts down on fatigue. The overall weight is 27-28 oz. Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. The ultimate combination of technology and handcrafted beauty, the Navigator Plus is lightweight, resilient, buoyant, and comes with 15cm of adjustability. I’ve never seen a paddle I love the looks of more than the new Bending Branches Navigator paddle. I quickly discovered, however, that the ferrule very easily unlocks when pushing off a soft surface like sand or mud. Press enter for more information. Here's a in-depth look at the Navigator kayak paddle from Andrew Stern at Bending Branches. The navigator skulls well and is particularly well designed for a high brace. 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