Difference in Makana Ali'i "old Style" & new
old style is like a tear drop shape while newer style is more like a tahitian style where there is more shoulder.
#1 Thu, 04/14/2011 - 1:35pm
Stability.. Structural strength.. it is only a piece of wood wrapped in carbon and resin man, although it is made with love of course.
Comparison in performance?? A 2x4 in the right hands can outperform the "best" paddle used by a lesser mortal. Its really not about the paddle, but the one holding the lumber.
Just get out there and paddle, and dun worry so much.
#4 Thu, 04/14/2011 - 4:51pm
The new "old" style is high shouldered and similar in shape to a Kialoa Lanikai or what eazypaddler calls "tahitian" style. The new "new" style is tear drop or rice paddle shaped like the old "old" style but at 9 7/8" wide versus 9 1/2" and no dihedral on the power face.
I like isotopez's comments...If it feels good, use it. A paddle alone does not make you faster or a better paddler.
#5 Thu, 04/14/2011 - 9:28pm
IMHO - disagree about the piece of wood wrapped in carbon and resin. Much like a canoe, it should be much more than just the wood/foam-core, fiberglass/carbon and resin. It is about the paddler, the paddle and the canoe, all as one. One can't really work without the other two. First time picked up a Pure paddle, it felt good, had good balance and good feel to it, and sure enough it felt great in the water. Same when I tried other people's makana ali, just feel right somehow. I remember holding a makana paddle when I started paddling, not knowing what a makana paddle was, and thought wow, this paddle just feels right. Quikblades never quite felt right for me, but they work great for others. I do believe that having the right paddle for you will make you a better paddler.
#6 Thu, 04/14/2011 - 11:04pm
ya know what I meant.. was trying to convey that its not really all about the equipment, it helps, but doesn't define things.
#8 Fri, 04/15/2011 - 8:23am
Uncle Les told me that he is trying to get people away from the "tahitian" style blade and back to the blade with the lower shoulder. He told me that the higher shoulder just adds more resistance because the surface area is a waste in comparison to the lower shoulder blades. It makes sense to me, because I had a tahitian style blade, but the blade that i use now is a bigger blade but with a lower shoulder, which allows me to get more of a grab, but be able to pull through the water faster than a higher shoulder.
#9 Fri, 04/15/2011 - 12:22pm
i'd go so far as to say that the higher shoulder would probably only be useful for paddle steering. that's the only time it makes a difference to me. when using a low cut shoulder in the rudderless response is definitely not as good.
#10 Fri, 04/15/2011 - 1:17pm
I think that Shell Va'a would disagree with the whole smaller blade for higher SPM thing. Al's research is pretty sound, but I've seen Shell paddle at about a 75-80 SPM with high-shoulder teardrops, (about 9.25 x 20.5 if you're wondering) for five hours at a time. And I think they do pretty well with those numbers.
#12 Fri, 04/15/2011 - 5:14pm
I am wanting to know the differences in Old Style vs New style?
Does anyone here have both or know the differences? Any pictures of old vs new style?
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