The Gear Shed - Measuring Paddle Power
Methodology and Preliminary Results
This set of video is an awesome collaboration with Ryan from How not 2. We strapped a line scale 3 to an anchor point and paddled away to see how much force different paddle and oar strokes will create. Ryan’s video details the methodology as well as the initial findings when we compared paddles. All of the detailed data is listed at the end of the article for reference. We utilized the same boat in all tests with Team Paddlers Kailee (as the control) and Nathan (changing paddles) conducting the test due to their relatively similar size.
Detailed Results
When we got back home we dug into the data a bit more to figure out how much force the paddles were actually creating. Kailee was using the same paddle throughout the test as a control but Nathan had switched paddles to understand how changes in paddles altered the amount of paddle power output in kilonewtons. For this test we looked at the following paddles and oars:
Rando El Cheapo Paddle from the river
Reinforced Carlisle Paddle
Werner Bandit
Bending Branches 14 Degree Cruiser
Sawyer MX Oars with Gilman Grips
If you want to learn more about the methodology check out Ryan's Video: Also, a huge thanks to our friends at Line Grip for helping us with the Dynamometer.
Peak Paddle Power
The Peak Paddle Power we achieved was measured as the highest outlier of force detected on the dynamometer for the paddles we tested. The results were as follows in order of best to worst (Higher = Better):
1st - Reinforced Carlisle = .69 kN or 155.1 lbs.
2nd - Bending Branches 14 Degree Cruiser = .65 kN or 146.1 lbs.
3rd - Sawyer Canyon X = .64 kN or 143.9 lbs.
3rd - Sawyer Freefall XD = .64 kN or 143.9 lbs.
3rd - El Cheapo = .64 kN or 143.9 lbs.
4th - Werner Bandit = .54 kN or 121.4 lbs.
Average Paddle Power
In this data set we were looking at the average strength of a paddle stroke that the testers were able to achieve during each stroke. The results were as follows in order of best to worst (Higher = Better):
1st - Sawyer Freefall XD = .54 kN or 121.4 lbs.
2nd - Sawyer Canyon X = .53 kN or 119.1 lbs.
3rd - Reinforced Carlisle = .52 kN or 116.9 lbs.
4th - El Cheapo = .47 kN or 105.7 lbs.
5th - Bending Branches 14 Degree Cruiser = .40 kN or 89.9 lbs.
5th - Werner Bandit = .40 kN or 89.9 lbs.
Range of Paddle Power (Consistency of Power)
In this test we measured the highest and lowest peaks to discover what the maximum and minimum spreads of paddle power were to help us determine the range of force for paddle strokes that the testers were making. In this case the actual amount of force range produced is less relevant, however here the lower the number means that paddle strokes were in a more consistent range of strokes. The results were as follows in order of best to worst (Lower = Better):
1st - Sawyer Freefall XD = .19 kN
2nd - Sawyer Canyon X = .25 kN
3rd - Werner Bandit = .26 kN
4th - Reinforced Carlisle = .30 kN
5th - El Cheapo = .34 kN
6th - Bending Branches 14 Degree Cruiser = .44 kN
Max Power with Preferred Paddles
At Maximum power the testers were able to produce .99 kN or 222.6 lbs. of force with an average force of .74 kN or 166.4 lbs. Interestingly the range of force which measures paddle power consistency was .54 kN meaning that the testers had sacrificed consistency for raw power.
Power of a Forward vs. Back Paddle Stroke
Our tests revealed that back paddles were 33% to 40% less effective than forward paddle strokes. At peak force the paddlers produced .99 kN or 222.6 lbs. forward and .66 kN or 148.4 lbs. Back paddling with the averages being .74 kN or 166.4 lbs. and .44 kN or 98.9 lbs. respectively. Back paddling was however more consistent with the stokes producing a range of .36 kN vs .54 kN for forward paddling which makes back paddling 33% more consistent. It is important to note here that the bottom threshold for forward paddles was nearly equal to the average backpaddle stroke so even though forward is less consistent than back, you are likely to achieve higher amounts of force so, if you really need to get somewhere you should be forward paddling!
Oar Power
In our tests we utilized a set of Sawyer MX Oars with Dynalite Blades and Gilman Grips mounted on a custom frame and 1 foot Sotar Legend Tubes. This setup with Nathan rowing produced the following results:
Pushing on the Oars
We found that Nathan pushing on his Oar setup produced less than Kailee and Nathan combined charging as hard as they could with forward strokes, however this was still stronger than the tester’s back paddle strokes combined.
Maximum force was .82 kN or 184.3 lbs.
Average force was .65 kN or 146.1 lbs.
The range of force was measured at .29 kN
Pulling on the Oars
The most powerful strokes came from Nathan pulling on his oars producing roughly 40% higher peak force than an r2 team forward paddling as hard as possible, however these strokes were also less consistent from the oars than from forward paddling.
Maximum force was 1.41 kN or 317 lbs.
Average force was 1.06 kN or 238.3 lbs.
The range of force was measured at .72 kN
