Paddle Ideas...

[Richard]

My wife's cousin (lives next door) bought himself a new pontoon boat. Not that I was looking to acquire a boat, he then tossed me the keys to his old one and said "It's yours". (we are always helping each other on things so he's a bud too)

Anyway, haven't used it as a new owner yet. When we were covering it last fall, I found the emergency paddle. If I were sitting in a canoe, next to the water, this paddle would be too short. The pontoon boat's deck is (guessing) 20" or so above the water, essentially rendering this emergency paddle, useless. You'd have to be sitting on the pontoon to be able to reach the water.

No worries, I'll just get another one (or two) now I'm facing wood, plastic, "SUP" which I suppose are for standing on a small single person (maybe with their dog!) item.

I don't want to get something so if Wildlife resources checks me out, I get a check mark.... I want to get something so if the boat dies, I have a reasonable and practical way to paddle the boat!!! A paddle going from ground to your beltline is too short!

Not yet been to the sporting goods store. Thought I'd see if there are any suggestions.

 

[East30]

Get a paddleboard paddle, most are adjustable too.

 

[ponytug]

@Richard Congratulations on the new boat!

Perhaps it is just me, but I find sitting on a pontoon to paddle gives me a fair bit of leverage. Personally, I'm not sure I would want something longer unless it had an oarlock. And no, I have never really mastered the SBS rope oarlock trick . YMMV... if there is any sort of breeze, I think the paddle is going to be for steering, rather than directed motion.

All the best,

Peter

 

[CH4Ohio]

Just get one with a handle molded into the paddle end and a hook on the other end. Mine is adjustable -- telescopes. The hook end gets used more than the paddle and is handy to help get docked or pulled alongside whatever. Also works good to fish things out of the water.

You won't have much use for a "paddle". If you're really stuck out on the water someone will tow you in.

Have fun!

 

[MossRoad]

Get a paddleboard paddle, most are adjustable too.

That's what I'd use.

 

[Runner]

West Marine sells paddles extending to 72"

48" to 72" Telescoping Paddle and Boat Hook | West Marine

Check out our 48" to 72" Telescoping Paddle and Boat Hook and more from West Marine!

www.westmarine.com

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I agree with @ponytug about sitting on the front of the boat gives you a pretty good place to paddle from. I do it all the time on our 14' whitewater raft. I can turn around to the back and reach in front of myself and pull towards the boat. You would be surprised how well it will move a boat. It allows you to switch arms easily too without have to go to the other side of the boat. Hopefully I am making myself clear, basically sitting at the front of the boat, feet dangling in the water reaching in front of you and pulling back towards the boat. I think a normal sized canoe paddle will be the perfect length for this. I'd love a free pontoon boat, congrats!

 

[square1]

Get a rope & a whistle / airhorn.
The broad side of a pontoon in the slightest breeze is going to take the pontoon the direction the wind is blowing whether you paddle that direction or not

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I'd say get you a trolling motor, mount it, or have a place to clamp it on back/front and a battery.

I've "Tried" to use a paddle on my 1860 CC Grizzly tracker. Nearbout worthless. I have had pretty good luck polling, but that only works in shallower water.

Trolling motor can serve more than one purpose...

 

[ponytug]

As @Richard posted, the paddle is a regulatory issue as well as perhaps utility...