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. After three years of kayak ownership, I'm not experienced enough to compare to every paddle available. Performance was only a secondary consideration since I had other paddles for that Since it ha proved to have that as well. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. 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 new "Navigator Wood" paddle boasts a new slick look from from its predecessor. The blade is now made out of rich-looking red adler and roasted basswood, compared to the previous black willow wood. It will flutter if my stroke gets lazy in situations where the Athena will not. The blades are flat-faced rather than dihedral. 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. As such, it builds better paddling tone and requires more attention to form. I quickly discovered, however, that the ferrule very easily unlocks when pushing off a soft surface like sand or mud. 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. of toughness is packed into this American made kayak fishing paddle. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. 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. It is stiff, lightweight, high-tech and classic in design -- all in one. A poor or careless stroke causes a lot of flutter and the paddle may feel like it will be snatched from your hands. As a 69 year young novice female kayaker, I was looking for a lightweight recreational kayak & a compatible paddle. I also used this paddle with my sea kayak (fully collapsed to it's 225cm length). 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. I love having the ability to stand up, stretch, and scout ahead to spot obstacles or wildlife, etc. 5.0 out of 5 stars Love this paddle! The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. Bottom line: This is a paddle that amply rewards practice and good form. The blade tip and leading edge are protected with Bending Branches’ proprietary “Rockguard”, which resists nicks and chips. It wasn't a "speed" paddle like the Manta Ray but it was much more efficient in transitioning energy to the water. Watch the video for a full product overview. I already had a perfectly fine carbon paddle -- then I saw this one and had to have it. What I didn't account for is that my AT Search has much wider, shorted blades - the blades of the Navigator are longer and thinner, nice for a long day's paddling but resulting in a paddle shaft that's a bit shorter than a 240cm paddle with short, wide blades. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. 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 Bending Branches Angler Navigator paddle is an old-school beauty in a beefed-up paddle that meets the needs of the modern-day angler. I’ve had much better control with the Navigator. Due to a raw material shortage, the Angler Navigator will ship in mid-December. I love the wood blades -- beautifully crafted, yet strongly protected with rockguard and fiberglass. It allows a paddler to cover a lot of distance quickly without fatigue. 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. There's a problem loading this menu right now. In addition, $5 from every paddle purchased will be donated to American Rivers non-profit. (205) 767-3201 Home 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. Here's a in-depth look at the Navigator kayak paddle from Andrew Stern at Bending Branches. 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. 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 blade is also significantly curved, so it catches quickly. The Explorer Plus canoe paddle is made for durability. 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. This is especially disappointing since Bending Branches has promotional videos boasting about being able to push off with the Navigator Angler, which also features the same ferrule design. The Navigator’s shaft is made of aviation-grade T-700 carbon, and its blades are hand-crafted of beautiful hardwoods. 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. As soon as you place your order, a real person in our Osceola, Wisconsin factory will start preparing your paddle. 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. Like wooden paddles in general and Bending Branches paddles in particular, the Navigator feels alive in the water. But when I'm on the water hours at a time, it's great to be able to switch between standing and sitting. I have used the Navigator sea kayak paddle for two seasons. 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. The shaft is carbon fiber with very slight oval indexing. Lightweight, gorgeous wood paddle connected with carbon fiber. They use a blend of red alder and roasted basswood in construction and it has a beautiful old school look to it. 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. made of seven laminates of basswood and roasted basswood and is edged with Bending Branches’ Rockgard® protection plus a 4 oz. Press enter for more information. Bending Branches Angler Navigator Carbon Paddle. With practice, a good stroke will become automatic even in wind and waves. The Navigator’s shaft is made of aviation-grade T-700 carbon, and its blades are hand-crafted of beautiful hardwoods. The fly shop has given me great advice and help with the kayak & recommended the Navigator paddle. I love the stiffness -- nothing like a carbon shaft. The Angler Navigator has a … The carbon fiber shaft is bonded to a beautifully designed touring blade and the fit and finish looked very good. Forest. 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 … 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 ultimate combination of technology and handcrafted beauty, the Navigator is lightweight, resilient, and buoyant. 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. Touring to me means just that, easy efficient paddling for long cursing trips with the ability to cover lots of water effortlessly. The first issue is one I'd consider a design flaw. Palliare. OMG heaven... my paddling improved monumentally. I decided to purchase one and it arrived just in time for my next outing to the lake. Very pleasing and comfortable grip surface. 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. It's a good surf paddle, but I tend not to want to use it when rock gardening despite the rock guard. 5.0 out of 5 stars 4. The bright yellow paddles are a nice safety feature, and the decorative, wide-yellow strip … The Navigator Plus comes with a more versatile telescoping ferrule with infinite feathering angles. But the real reason for the 3-stars-only review is the ferrule. The good: Bending Branches Bounce paddles come in 240 cm size which, with my height and my sit-on-top kayak, I need. Being able to find the most comfortable length and feather is a great option. The wood blades are fiberglass reinforced for strength and durability. The ultimate combination of technology and handcrafted beauty, the Navigator Plus is lightweight, resilient, buoyant, and comes with 15cm of adjustability. Period. It's a wide (36" at the widest), stable boat, and so I often paddle it standing up in flat water. With this paddle, there is little between a buttery smooth and powerful stroke and one that feels wounded and tottering. I do not treat it much differently now than I did my resin and fiberglass one. In addition to that they have a rock guard protective strip on the blade and we all know what that means! Bending Branches showcases the new Angler Navigator kayak paddle at Paddlesports Retailer. $299.95 . 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. The paddle is light, and the blade shape is good for smooth paddling over a long day. This paddle is light, functional and beautiful, capable of touring all day efficiently. and had to use an older wood back-up paddle. The feedback is instructive. Read reviews for the Angler Navigator by Bending Branches as submitted by your fellow paddlers. 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. I solo paddle a Wenonah Heron canoe quite a bit. So, I assumed the Navigator, at 240cm fully extended, would be long enough. 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 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. If you want a good looking paddle for all day use, look at this one. The first thing I appreciated was the effortless paddling. 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. 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. The positive flotation is appreciable. As soon as you place your order, a real person in our Osceola, Wisconsin factory will start preparing your paddle. The river has a fair bit of rocks, but also sandy and muddy banks and bottom. $299.95) (No reviews yet) Write a Review. UPC: 717320332994. The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. They're aluminum, but not particularly heavy. Also because of the curve, I find it harder to find the best angle for a stationary sculling brace. I love this paddle, but my rating deserves some qualifications due to the learning curve. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, Bending Branches Navigator Snap-Button Kayak Paddle, See all details for Bending Branches Navigator Snap-Button Kayak Paddle, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. It is solidly built and tough enough within its environment. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. 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. The blade section is really a masterpiece of form and function. Due to a raw material shortage, the Angler Navigator will ship in mid-December. wrap of fiberglass for power and protection. The Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. 95. The Navigator with a snap-button ferrule comes is lengths from 210cm to 240cm, in 10 cm increments. December 8, 2018 jkincy. 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 Bending Branches Navigator wood kayak paddle dares to combine high-tech materials with the natural beauty of red alder and roasted basswood. 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. The Catalyst is a sustainable canoe paddle. Given it's marketed as a kayak paddle, I have to give it props as a nice one. $64.95 . Also works well for solo canoe paddling. The drip rings are good and firm so they stay put. The Navigator by Bending Branches is a beautifully crafted wood paddle which is guaranteed to impress on both looks and on-water performance. The material combination provides unique flex and the unmatched fit and finish you … Even though I’ve been kayaking flat water, sloughs have weird currents that are grabby. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. The reason I like the Navigator for day trips is that it is slightly heavier than the Athena and notably less forgiving. This light paddle flicks quickly to either side for more efficient corrections. 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews 5 3. And the weight is carried to the blades rather than the shaft so it works very well. I initially bought this paddle for its great looks and light weight. 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! I’ve never seen a paddle I love the looks of more than the new Bending Branches Navigator paddle. Read and submit reviews for the Navigator. Moreover, once loose, of course it's very difficult to paddle with the feathering angle changing and shifting as you apply force. Bending Branches Classic Angler Paddle - 2-Piece Snap-Button. In hindsight this should have been obvious, but it didn't occur to me at all. You might not think 10cm (<4in) shaft length would matter, but it's definitely noticeable. Any slight torque of the wrist and the paddle, which I had fully extended, would slide back to it's shortest length. I very quickly discovered two flaws with my new paddle/boat/style combination. Please try again later. The Bending Branches “ Navigator ” is a lightweight composite paddle, with a T-700 carbon fiber shaft and rich-looking black willow wood blades. The shaft has the typical 3 position button which was fine, but the Manta Ray had an infinite adjustment coupling which I really liked. 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 love the ferrule -- which allows easy locking from 215 to 230 cm, and 60-degree left or right. 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. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. Even being cognizant of the issue and trying very hard to never apply torque while pushing off, the ferrule still comes loose at times - it doesn't seem to take much torque in the proper direction to loosen the ferrule. 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. While the smallish blade will not provide great power, it is perfect for most of the paddling I do these days. I could not ask for a paddle, and would be surprised if one exists. The paddler overall is very light and very stiff. Bending Branches ... Bending Branches Whisper Paddle - 2-Piece Snap-Button. In open water, it paddles very nicely and my positive experience matched those of other reviewers, despite my above complaints. I use this for flat water but probably will not for potentially rocky rivers. It has beautiful black willow blades and a checkered carbon shaft, and is absolutely beautiful. 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!). The result isn't a deal breaker, but the paddle's just a little bit shorter than I'd like it to be. 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 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). I got the telescoping ferrel and have decided I really like it. When I switch to the Athena after working out with the Navigator, I feel like superman. in.) Each blade is sealed in with 2 oz. Constructed from the highly-durable and aesthetically pleasing black willow wood, the Navigator is one of the most attractive paddles … Please try again later. The paddle's stiffness puts all of the paddle motion directly into the water. I appreciate the quality construction, the beauty of the wood, and the protective surface on the outside edge of the wood. 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