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Item 721662
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Reviewed by 9 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-9
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
The Manta-Ray aluminim was my second paddle,(Sting-Ray carbon was my first.) for a 17' sea kayak on flatwater lakes around central Tennessee.
I bought it because I need a larger blade for more power and a higher paddling angle. I feel the wider blade makes a significant increase in speed, without a corresponding increase in effort.
The slip joint is tight, and I did something no slightly damage in so it's not harder to assemble than when I first got it, but not enough so to bother trying to fix it.
My one dislike is the texture on the shaft tends to feel very "sticky" against my sweaty hands during hot weather --it's too smooth, sort of like heavily varnished wood. If I wet my hands, then everything is fine until my skin dries out again. Wearing gloves would solve this, but gloves aren't an option when you paddle 90* water in 95* air.
The shaft is ever so slightly oval, making it much easier to get your hands in the correct position by feel alone, such as when doing rolls; the carbon shaft is round.
I miss the light weight of the carbon Sting-Ray, and I will be ordering a carbon Manta-Ray soon. (The texture of the carbon shaft in way better, too.)
Pros
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Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
I upgraded to this paddle from a smaller one. It gives a better workout. I can feel it in my abs. The paddles get a better bite in the water. Even with my smaller kayak I get better speed.
The handles are comfortable. Everything appears to be well made.
There was a comment about the paddles becoming stuck together. The joint is very tight, so any sand or dirt might cause an issue. But taking care of them might eliminate that problem.
I could feel the difference from my old paddles within the first couple of uses.
These are very substantial paddles so I would have no problem taking them anywhere.
There is one big issue. Now I want a faster boat!
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Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
Got this for my husband who has a high angle paddling style because he likes to paddle for workout purposes. He uses a 230 length with his Emotion Comet kayak and loves it for quick weekend workout at a nearby lake. When compared to my carbon Aqua-Bound, it's obviously heavier but what he uses it for, he doesn't mind the weight. Great choice for its intended purpose.
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Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
Control is pretty good, power is ok. I like the shape of the blades, which are tough enough to dig out of mud and limestone. Lightweight.
But mine refuses to let go in the middle, so, I can't break it down anymore. That's more fortunate than not getting them together, so it broke down in the right way.
I'm still using it.
Pros
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Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
Very good paddle. I wonder if 230cm would have been better for me, but not sure. I got the 220 cm for a Perception Prodigy 10 foot kayak. I'm 6 feet tall. Was able to paddle 7.5 miles in a couple of hours on my first day of use. Really seemed like I was moving along pretty quickly. Nice that it comes in two pieces that easily and securely snap together. I glanced it off some rocks with it accidentally and held up well. I think 220 cm length helps me to not break it on rocks, though, as maybe don't always go quite as deep in the water?
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Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
This paddle was in my hand for 5 days straight. Any fatigue I got was not due to the paddle. The paddle actually relieved it. Making paddling easier and more comfortable. It's also strong, I abused it a bit by using it as a wedge to dock and it held up. The price is good as well.
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Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
one of the best in it's price range!
Pros
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Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
I've had very good luck with my 230cm Manta ray paddle. Originally purchased in 2005, this paddle has been every where with me from the Patapsco River in Maryland, to the New River and Topsail beach in North Carolina. I have not been kind to it and it always seems to forgive me and provide reliable sturdiness/stiffness in all weather conditions. Finally after 4 years of abuse and neglect, the paddle did develop a crack in the metal shaft. near where the pieces join together. The cracked portion was cut off, a new hold for the pin to pop out of was drilled and the paddle has been resurected again for use this coming summer in the beach surf zone.
Although this paddle is often rated for recreation use and not for touring, I do find I still prefer it since it's wider blade gives me a better work out when I go paddling for an hour or so. In the absence of time, the larger blades really grab the water and allow you to exert yourself as much or as little as you want. All in all, I'm very pleased with this paddle and am planning on purchasing another here in the coming month.
Pros
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Comments about Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Paddle:
For the money this paddle shines. It first caught my eye as a nice yellow visible paddle that I could use as an extra on deck. However after using it I've relegated my wood paddle to the deck as this one feels just right.
Displaying reviews 1-9
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