: Hoping that everyone remembers the old adage, "there are no
: stupid questions"....

: What are the real differences between Greenland and and Aleut
: paddles (the typical or 'standard' models of each as they are
: generally compared. I know that in the end there exists examples
: but no definitive example of each).
: I know the Aleut paddles have ridges on the back side (the side
: that's fore relative to our kayaks as we use 'em)
: Does this mean Aleut paddles are generally considered to be stiffer
: than Greenland?

: Are Aleut paddles longer/shorter, blades wider/narrower, loom
: cross-section contribute significantly to how they work?
: Is the way they are used significantly different?

: I'm curious because I'm still chasing that pair of 'ten knot'
: baidarkas that Captain Cook observed. I've got two pieces of
: redwood glued up waiting for more than a year to be turned into
: something.
: My Greenland is busted in the middle; which I'll probably just fix.
: Maybe the blank could become an Aleut paddle. But I'd like to
: accomplish something more than just matching a style.

: Thanks
: Will

Hi Will,
The stiffness is possibly greater with the Aluet, depending on timber used and grain orientation.
There's about a foot of difference between a GP and AP, the AP being longer.
The blade is wider as a sliding grip isn't likely used, and is longer given the dimensions. The shape is more leaf or lanceolate shaped so the area is probably similar between the two.
The loom is longer, about 25" as opposed to about 18-20" for the GP and the 'egg-shape' would give a positive control grip like the shoulders of a GP, or the oval loom shape of shoulderless GP's.
The paddling style would be somewhat different, a more vertical, higher stroke than most GP use, the paddle following the hull, fairly deep. From memory (book larning) there's a slight pause between strokes, I use a similar style with my Carlisle and it's very good for cruising.
I don't think the AP would be used with much if any cant, the ridged side of the blade 'sheds' the water evenly from both edges rather than across the blade like a GP or a wing.

Haven't made or used one yet so this is what I gather from bits and pieces I've read.

Mike Savage
South West Cork