Alpacka offers new packraft Paddle

I hear you Brad. My experience, using the Sawyer myself, hearing boater feedback, and watching the record of the paddle is that the changes Sawyer made to it have been very good. My overall impression, from the information I get, is that the Sawyer is a beautiful mixed-water paddle, but if you’re consistently doing hard water, a more robust Manta Ray or Splat is a good choice. That said, I haven’t personally heard of anything more than Sawyer cracks for about eight months.

Brad’s hit the current with the blade on the Sawyer: It’s remarkably durable and its adjustability is great. I bought one for my wife but have been using it more frequently for camping trips as it makes a superb central pole for my pyramid style tents.

I am afraid to use it when steep creeking, but have other paddles for that. But for any trip that’s Class III and involves walking and especially camping, it’s going with.

Anybody trim their adjustable shaft to lighten it by an ounce or two?