Kayak Paddle Feathering: What is It and Why does it Matter?
To feather or not to feather…that’s a good question! And one we get a lot. So here’s a basic overview of kayak paddle feathering if you’re scratching your head over what it is and why it matters.
(photo courtesy of Drew Gregory)
As a kayak angler, the more paddle strokes you master and the better gear you have, the more enjoyment you’ll experience. That’s because kayak fishing isn’t just about the fishing, it’s also about the kayaking.
Many anglers we talk to say the kayaking aspect is part of why kayak fishing is such a draw to them. They love the intimacy with the water and nature, the ability to get into places bigger boats can’t, and the relaxed pace that can be so therapeutic.
One of the game changers to make your kayak fishing the most enjoyable it can be is to invest in a good paddle and learn how to use it.
Part of that is understanding paddle feathering.
What is Kayak Paddle Feathering?
Feathering a kayak paddle simply means you adjust the ferrule on the shaft so the blades are offset from each other rather than straight across, like so:
(Photo courtesy of Chad Hoover)
You can see in the photo above that the face of one blade is offset at an angle from the face of the other blade.
We’ll get into why you may want to do this in a minute, but first…
What is a Ferrule?
The ferrule is the mechanism that joins the two pieces of your kayak paddle together in the middle of the shaft.
There are many ferrule designs on the market, some of them better than others. The most common and least expensive is the snap-button ferrule:
The snap-button ferrule is the most basic ferrule option (photo by Reggie Chapa)
With a snap-button ferrule, your feathering options are limited to the angles allowed by the holes. Bending Branches’ snap-button ferrules offer 0º and 60º angles. That may be just fine for many anglers, especially if they do most of their fishing in small, shelteredl water.
We offer all our kayak fishing paddles in a snap-button model. Our design ensures a snug, wobble-free fit—which is something you want to look for no matter which paddle brand you choose.
Ferrules like our Versa-LokTM give you unlimited feathering angles. This option is for paddlers who want as much leeway as possible and don’t want to be limited to just a couple of angles:
The Versa-Lok has a few components that have been carefully designed and constructed to offer easy-to-use durability that adds very little weight to the paddle. It’s simple enough that you can change the feathering angle on the fly.
The other huge benefit of the Versa-Lok is that it offers up to 15 cm of length adjustability. This is so helpful for a few reasons:
- If the seat of your fishing kayak is adjustable, you can adjust your kayak paddle along with it for the best length no matter which position you place your seat.
- If you have more than one kayak, you can adjust your paddle accordingly based on the width of each boat.
- You can loan your paddle to others and they can also adjust it to the perfect length for them.
You’ll want to be sure to keep grit, sand, salt and other abrasives rinsed clean of the ferrule after each use to ensure its long lifespan. This is true no matter which ferrule system your paddle has.
Read more about our ferrules here: Kayak Paddle Ferrule Systems: Snap-Button vs. Versa-Lok.
Why Does Feathering Matter?
Whether or not you feather your paddle is a personal choice. Some anglers choose to feather and some don’t.
Here are the most common reasons why you might feather your kayak paddle:
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When you’re in windy conditions. When you paddle into a strong headwind, you can feather your paddle and adjust your wrist position so the blade that’s out of the water is always flat to the wind instead of broadside. You’ll notice less wind resistance and therefore less fatigue over a few hours on the water.
- On the other hand, if the wind’s at your back, you may want the wind to catch your blade since it’ll push you forward a bit with each stroke. So in that case, don’t feather.
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Many anglers find feathering is easier on their wrists for long days of fishing, especially with the high-angle paddling necessary for pulling your loaded kayak through the water. This is something you can experiment with. Try it and see how it works for you. Try different angles and see what you like. Do your wrists feel better after time with an offset angle? If yes, you can feather routinely.
- If speed and efficiency are important—say during a fishing tournament—feathering could give you a slight edge in paddling speed on windy days. It could also save you some fatigue over the day.
(Photo courtesy of Mat Wilder)
Feathering isn’t a matter of right or wrong, but of preference. Experiment the next time you’re out in your kayak…the next several times. Try it in different conditions and see if it helps you.
If it does, great! If you don't like it, that's fine, too—but it's sure nice to have the option.
[This blog was first published in 2017 and has been updated.]
What paddle questions can we help you with? Contact our friendly Customer Service team today: 715-755-3405 or bbinfo@bendingbranches.com
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