This is such a common paddle, thought it useful to start a thread evaluating it. For many this is a first paddle, especially a first take-apart paddle and remains a servicable second paddle. I have a 5yr old 74B paddle, there are a few chips at the edges, but the thing has held together. Adjusts to any feathering angle you like, so one may experiment to see what type of better paddle one wants to move up to!
Upside: - very easily adjusts from short to long reach paddler
Downsides:
- Take care tightening the twist-lock nuts that tighten the thicker aluminum shafts on the paddle blades. It's easier than you think to strip the ABS plastic thread on the blades.
- The design has four twist-lock nuts per paddle, and these nuts can become VERY difficult to release when grit gets into them, especially the ones that allow for lengthening the paddle. I keep a roll of plumber's teflon tape with me and refresh it on the all the threads after cleaning them every now and then.
- ABS plastic paddle seems brittle, only edges have chipped off for us, but I suspect one day one of these paddles is going to crack.