The ultimate combination of technology and handcrafted beauty, the Navigator is lightweight, resilient and buoyant. The wood blades are known for their light weight, effortless stroke, durability and quietness. The dense, dark woods Bending Branches selects are among the lighter options available while still holding form and resisting wear, and there is not a quieter entry and exit than these blades, especially next to plastic. Wooden blades give one of the easiest, most forgiving forward strokes in paddling. The natural buoyancy springs the paddle out of the water and the wood absorbs the rigors of the river or lake. The blade is designed for a natural low-angle stroke. If your forward stroke is generally more horizontal and relaxed, this shape suits you, because it provides enough torque without being fatiguing. That makes the Navigator an ideal companion for flatwater and sea kayaking, and for solo and pack canoeing. The blades are wrapped with Rockgard tip protection and coated with 2 oz fiberglass, and the shaft is ovalized where your hands go for comfort, control and fewer blisters. Key Features Handcrafted Wood Blades: Light weight, effortless stroke, durability and quietness. Low-Angle Blade Shape: Built for a horizontal, relaxed forward stroke with enough torque and no fatigue. Natural Buoyancy: The wood springs the paddle out of the water on every stroke. Quietest Entry and Exit: Especially compared to plastic blades. Rockgard Tip Protection: Plus a 2 oz fiberglass coating to seal the wood and guard against wear. T-700 Carbon Shaft: Technology under handcrafted wood. Ovalized Grip: More comfort and control, and fewer blisters. Plus Ferrule: Adjustable length and feather angle. Built for Flatwater and Sea Kayaking: Plus solo and pack canoeing. Hand Built in Osceola, Wisconsin: Made in the USA, 2-year manufacturing warranty. Bending Branches Navigator Questions, Answered What is a low-angle stroke, and is that me? It is the relaxed, more horizontal forward stroke most touring and recreational paddlers use, where the shaft stays closer to level instead of being driven up and down. If that describes how you paddle, this blade shape is built for you. It gives sufficient torque without being fatiguing over a long day. Is wood heavier than composite? Not the way Bending Branches builds this one. The woods they select are among the lighter options available, and the shaft is T-700 carbon. The result is a paddle they describe as lightweight, resilient and buoyant, with wood blades doing the work. What boats is the Navigator for? Bending Branches calls it an ideal companion for flatwater and sea kayaking, plus solo and pack canoeing. The low-angle blade and the quiet, forgiving wood suit long, steady days rather than short aggressive bursts. How do I care for the wood? The blades are already wrapped with Rockgard tip protection and coated with 2 oz fiberglass, which seals in the wood and protects it from abuse and long-term wear. Rinse it and let it dry rather than storing it wet, and keep it out of long stretches of direct sun. Navigator or Impression? Both are wood-bladed. The Navigator pairs wood blades with a T-700 carbon shaft, and is built around a low-angle touring stroke. The Impression is all wood, shaft included, for the traditional look and feel end to end. The Navigator is the lighter, more technical of the two. How does it ship? Ships parcel, nationwide. It breaks down into two pieces and boxes up, so it goes out as a standard ground shipment.
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