As soon as you place your order, a real person in our Osceola, Wisconsin factory will start preparing your paddle. Each blade is sealed in with 2 oz. Period. But the real reason for the 3-stars-only review is the ferrule. 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 … The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. The first issue is one I'd consider a design flaw. Bottom line: This is a paddle that amply rewards practice and good form. 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. Press enter for more information. I’ve never seen a paddle I love the looks of more than the new Bending Branches Navigator paddle. A poor or careless stroke causes a lot of flutter and the paddle may feel like it will be snatched from your hands. The river has a fair bit of rocks, but also sandy and muddy banks and bottom. Also check out our Bending Branches … 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. 5.0 out of 5 stars Love this paddle! Forest. Performance was only a secondary consideration since I had other paddles for that Since it ha proved to have that as well. I quickly discovered, however, that the ferrule very easily unlocks when pushing off a soft surface like sand or mud. 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. in.) That is what the BB Navigator does, and does very well. As a 69 year young novice female kayaker, I was looking for a lightweight recreational kayak & a compatible paddle. The shaft has the typical 3 position button which was fine, but the Manta Ray had an infinite adjustment coupling which I really liked. I was a little concerned how the ferrel would hold up, but I have had no trouble with it so far. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. I solo paddle a Wenonah Heron canoe quite a bit. I have used the Navigator sea kayak paddle for two seasons. The Navigator’s shaft is made of aviation-grade T-700 carbon, and its blades are hand-crafted of beautiful hardwoods. The ferrule is top-notch--I have the three-hole button type--so break down is easy. The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. Constructed from the highly-durable and aesthetically pleasing black willow wood, the Navigator is one of the most attractive paddles … 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. I appreciate the quality construction, the beauty of the wood, and the protective surface on the outside edge of the wood. The overall weight is 27-28 oz. I’ve had much better control with the Navigator. Nice paddle, but with a design flaw...I got this paddle hoping it would satisfy a blend of paddling styles. This light paddle flicks quickly to either side for more efficient corrections. It's a wide (36" at the widest), stable boat, and so I often paddle it standing up in flat water. Bending Branches showcases the new Angler Navigator kayak paddle at Paddlesports Retailer. The Navigator by Bending Branches is a beautifully crafted wood paddle which is guaranteed to impress on both looks and on-water performance. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. Here's a in-depth look at the Navigator kayak paddle from Andrew Stern at Bending Branches. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Bending Branches Navigator Snap-Button Kayak Paddle at Amazon.com. of toughness is packed into this American made kayak fishing paddle. In addition, $5 from every paddle purchased will be donated to American Rivers non-profit. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. It will flutter if my stroke gets lazy in situations where the Athena will not. It wasn't a "speed" paddle like the Manta Ray but it was much more efficient in transitioning energy to the water. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. It is stiff, lightweight, high-tech and classic in design -- all in one. 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. The paddle fit together very well and had no "wobble" feel at all when assembled. 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. Technique is everything and I immediately developed a bond with this paddle and its effortless design made it a real pleasure right from the get go. The other thing I noticed was that it, to me, seemed like it was a lot "quieter" in the water than my old paddle. The reason I like the Navigator for day trips is that it is slightly heavier than the Athena and notably less forgiving. 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. Rock Guard is a protective resin which covers the edges Bending Branches paddles and on this model, Rock Guard covers the tip and most of the bottom edge of the paddle. I could not ask for a paddle, and would be surprised if one exists. 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). The Bending Branches Angler Navigator Hybrid Wood 2-Piece Kayak Paddle - The Bending Branches Angler Navigator Hybrid Wood 2-Piece Kayak Paddle has a proven blade design that is more flexible than composite paddles. Any slight torque of the wrist and the paddle, which I had fully extended, would slide back to it's shortest length. Due to a raw material shortage, the Angler Navigator will ship in mid-December. The drip rings are good and firm so they stay put. After three years of kayak ownership, I'm not experienced enough to compare to every paddle available. The wood blades are fiberglass reinforced for strength and durability. Moreover, once loose, of course it's very difficult to paddle with the feathering angle changing and shifting as you apply force. 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. I love the ferrule -- which allows easy locking from 215 to 230 cm, and 60-degree left or right. The rock guard seems to hold up well against rocks, though the paddle already looks pretty scuffed after my river trip (within reason - it was a rocky river). All I know is, this is the finest paddle I could ever ask for. With practice, a good stroke will become automatic even in wind and waves. The Navigator has been delightfully easy to learn to use, I even feel smooth & efficient as I enjoy this new sport. Due to a raw material shortage, the Angler Navigator will ship in mid-December. As such, it builds better paddling tone and requires more attention to form. The feedback is instructive. Please try again later. The good: Bending Branches Bounce paddles come in 240 cm size which, with my height and my sit-on-top kayak, I need. The navigator skulls well and is particularly well designed for a high brace. The Catalyst is a sustainable canoe paddle. 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 ultimate combination of technology and handcrafted beauty, the Navigator Plus is lightweight, resilient, buoyant, and comes with 15cm of adjustability. I love this paddle, but my rating deserves some qualifications due to the learning curve. There's a problem loading this menu right now. It is solidly built and tough enough within its environment. Very pleasing and comfortable grip surface. 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. 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. Performance: this paddle is rather unforgiving, but when used correctly it is a wonder. Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. made of seven laminates of basswood and roasted basswood and is edged with Bending Branches’ Rockgard® protection plus a 4 oz. An ultra-lightweight 100% carbon shaft with a built-in tape measure and a blade design made of red alder, roasted basswood, and basswood offers more flex than most composite paddles, making it the quietest paddle on the market. I inaugurated my new Navigator on a 3-day trip on the Oswegatchie, a small river in the Adirondacks. The blade section is really a masterpiece of form and function. 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. I love having the ability to stand up, stretch, and scout ahead to spot obstacles or wildlife, etc. This paddle has a large, beefy blade (126 sq. Also because of the curve, I find it harder to find the best angle for a stationary sculling brace. 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. I use this for flat water but probably will not for potentially rocky rivers. I love the stiffness -- nothing like a carbon shaft. 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. 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. If you are looking for a touring style paddle I don't think you can go wrong with this one, it's a real winner! The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. Availability: Usually ships in 48 hours. The shaft is carbon fiber with very slight oval indexing. It's a good surf paddle, but I tend not to want to use it when rock gardening despite the rock guard. I already had a perfectly fine carbon paddle -- then I saw this one and had to have it. 33 oz. wrap of fiberglass for power and protection. The Navigator’s shaft is made of aviation-grade T-700 carbon, and its blades are hand-crafted of beautiful hardwoods. In open water, it paddles very nicely and my positive experience matched those of other reviewers, despite my above complaints. This page works best with JavaScript. The fly shop has given me great advice and help with the kayak & recommended the Navigator paddle. You might not think 10cm (<4in) shaft length would matter, but it's definitely noticeable. 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!). Being able to find the most comfortable length and feather is a great option. The blade is also significantly curved, so it catches quickly. Bending Branches ... Bending Branches Whisper Paddle - 2-Piece Snap-Button. UPC: 717320332994. For added durability, the blades are wrapped in fiberglass and protected with a Rockgard edge around the blade. It has beautiful black willow blades and a checkered carbon shaft, and is absolutely beautiful. The Navigator Plus comes with a more versatile telescoping ferrule with infinite feathering angles. I initially bought this paddle for its great looks and light weight. 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. Aside from the blade material, the spechs remain and gives the same smooth pull through the water. Read and submit reviews for the Navigator. I borrowed my neighbors offset carbon fiber with smaller blades and worked my butt off trying to get my cheap boat not to dog walk across the water. I decided to purchase one and it arrived just in time for my next outing to the lake. In hindsight this should have been obvious, but it didn't occur to me at all. 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. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! 95. And the weight is carried to the blades rather than the shaft so it works very well. The second issue I have is certainly not a design flaw, but something to be aware of when buying this paddle without trying it. The paddler overall is very light and very stiff. I do not treat it much differently now than I did my resin and fiberglass one. Watch the video for a full product overview. I love the wood blades -- beautifully crafted, yet strongly protected with rockguard and fiberglass. The blades are flat-faced rather than dihedral. In addition to that they have a rock guard protective strip on the blade and we all know what that means! While the smallish blade will not provide great power, it is perfect for most of the paddling I do these days. The Angler Navigator has a … I regularly use three paddles. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. I was immediately impressed with the overall quality of construction and the carbon fiber shaft was finished very smoothy, my older paddle was “rough” to the touch which was not a problem as I usually wear gloves, but the Bending Branches was very comfortable to the bare hand. The Bending Branches new "Navigator Wood" paddle boasts a new slick look from from its predecessor. The result isn't a deal breaker, but the paddle's just a little bit shorter than I'd like it to be. I also used this paddle with my sea kayak (fully collapsed to it's 225cm length). The Explorer Plus canoe paddle is made for durability. The carbon fiber shaft is bonded to a beautifully designed touring blade and the fit and finish looked very good. The paddle is light, and the blade shape is good for smooth paddling over a long day. The Navigator’s shaft is made of aviation-grade T-700 carbon, and its blades are hand-crafted of beautiful hardwoods. The first thing I appreciated was the effortless paddling. The ultimate combination of technology and handcrafted beauty, the Navigator is lightweight, resilient, and buoyant. I usually carry a Wind Swift as my wind/spare paddle. and had to use an older wood back-up paddle. For expedition paddling, I prefer a Werner Athena, and for day trips I use the Bending Branches Navigator. 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. They use a blend of red alder and roasted basswood in construction and it has a beautiful old school look to it. OMG heaven... my paddling improved monumentally. 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. I very quickly discovered two flaws with my new paddle/boat/style combination. $299.95 . It allows a paddler to cover a lot of distance quickly without fatigue. As soon as you place your order, a real person in our Osceola, Wisconsin factory will start preparing your paddle. The positive flotation is appreciable. 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 got the telescoping ferrel and have decided I really like it. Given it's marketed as a kayak paddle, I have to give it props as a nice one. Like wooden paddles in general and Bending Branches paddles in particular, the Navigator feels alive in the water. 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. 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