Grey Owl Beavertail Canoe Paddle
The Grey Owl Beavertail is a beautiful, traditional canoe paddle built for smooth progress across lakes, deeper rivers and wilderness touring routes. Its distinctive long, tapered blade enters the water progressively, encouraging quiet, controlled strokes and a relaxed, low-angle paddling cadence.
This is a paddle we would recommend to canoeists who enjoy traditional paddling and want a reassuringly strong wooden paddle rather than an ultra-light performance model. The beavertail shape offers useful blade area for steady propulsion and controlled steering strokes, making it suitable for bow, stern or solo paddling where there is enough depth to immerse the longer blade comfortably.
Traditional Shape for Deep-Water Paddling
Unlike shorter, wider recreational blades, the Beavertail’s elongated profile is designed to work below the surface in deeper water. It delivers power progressively rather than producing an abrupt catch, which makes it well suited to relaxed touring, traditional stroke techniques and longer days on the water.
The tapered blade can also provide good feedback during correction, rudder and steering strokes. This helps make the paddle approachable for developing canoeists while still offering the control experienced paddlers expect from a traditional blade.
Strong Laminated Ash Construction
The paddle combines a solid ash shaft with a three-ply laminated ash blade. Ash is valued here for its strength and resilience, producing a robust paddle suited to regular recreational and touring use.
The oval shaft provides a positive feel in the lower hand, while the pear-shaped laminated ash grip allows comfortable hand positioning during forward, correction and steering strokes.
Protected for Regular Use
A wraparound casting-epoxy tip reinforces the end of the blade, helping protect an area that can otherwise be vulnerable to knocks and general wear. The paddle is finished in a high-gloss exterior polyurethane coating with UV protection.
Although the reinforced tip adds durability, the Beavertail remains primarily a deep-water touring paddle rather than a specialist choice for frequent rock contact, shallow rivers or demanding whitewater.
Who Is the Grey Owl Beavertail For?
The Grey Owl Beavertail is a strong choice for:
- Lake and deep-river paddling
- Traditional canoe touring
- Solo or tandem canoe use
- Bow, stern and steering strokes
- Paddlers who prefer a smooth, low-angle cadence
- Canoeists wanting a durable ash paddle with a classic appearance
For consistently shallow or rocky waterways, a shorter and wider blade may be easier to use without striking the bottom. For deep water, steady touring and traditional paddling techniques, however, the Beavertail remains a versatile and dependable option.
Features
- Traditional long, tapered beavertail blade
- Suitable for solo and tandem canoe paddling
- Designed primarily for lakes, deeper rivers and touring
- Three-ply laminated ash pear-shaped grip
- Solid ash oval shaft
- Three-ply laminated ash blade
- Cambered blade cross-section
- Wraparound casting-epoxy tip
- High-gloss exterior polyurethane finish with UV protection
- Available in 54″, 57″, 60″, 63″ and 66″ lengths
Specifications
Grip: Three-ply laminated ash, pear shaped
Shaft: Solid ash, oval, 1⅛″ × 1¹⁄₁₆″
Blade: Three-ply laminated ash
Blade profile: Cambered
Tip: Wraparound casting epoxy
Finish: High-gloss exterior polyurethane with UV protection
Overall lengths: 54″, 57″, 60″, 63″ and 66″
| Overall Length: | 54” | 57” | 60” | 63” | 66” |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaft Length: | 30” | 32” | 34” | 36” | 38” |
| Blade Length: | 24” | 25” | 26” | 27” | 28” |
| Blade Width: | 6” | 6 ½” | 6 5⁄8” | 6 ¾” | 6 ¾” |
| Blade Area (sq in): | 100 | 105 | 110 | 115 | 120 |
| Average Weight (oz): | 23 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 31 |
Sizing:
To determine the paddle size you need, sit up straight on a chair and measure the distance from the surface of the chair to your chin. Add 6” for the approximate distance the canoe seat would be from the waterline. For example, a person whose chin to chair measurement is 30” would add 6” to arrive at a 36” shaft length. Looking at the specifications for the Beavertail (below), you would find the best fit would be a 63” Beavertail. A one or two-inch variation really will not have much effect in usage, try for the closest shaft length. Remember to consider that canoe seat heights vary as might a ‘comfort range’ that you might feel more suited to.
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Specifications
| Canoe Paddle Length | 54", 57", 60", 63", 66" |