Hi all ,

just wondering if anyone has had issues with water getting in on a Makani adjustable? the first time I took this paddle in the surf it broke when I was trying to catch a wave. the part that broke was replaced with no questions asked. Since then I have had no confidence in this paddle when trying to get on waves. The other issue I have is it lets a fair amount of water in( I know I should be on top of the water more) has anyone else had these issues? I'm seriously considering a new paddle not extendable. suggestions on a new paddle would be appreciated too. I'm 105 kgs 6'4 with a 10 ft Mana.

Thanks in advance.

This is what I had to say about it.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Leaky-Makani-2014-adjustable-paddle/
I swapped mine for another older (white and black) Makani, which I think is better.
There's a lot of advantages with an adjustable - kids can use it, fits on the back seat of the car, go shorter for surf, longer for paddling, adjust if you're feeling lazy, etc.

Garnsy said..
Hi all ,

just wondering if anyone has had issues with water getting in on a Makani adjustable? the first time I took this paddle in the surf it broke when I was trying to catch a wave. the part that broke was replaced with no questions asked. Since then I have had no confidence in this paddle when trying to get on waves. The other issue I have is it lets a fair amount of water in( I know I should be on top of the water more) has anyone else had these issues? I'm seriously considering a new paddle not extendable. suggestions on a new paddle would be appreciated too. I'm 105 kgs 6'4 with a 10 ft Mana.

Thanks in advance.

I had an adjustable Makani that water used to get into as well. That didn't really bother me though, I'd just pull out the handle and dump the water out and then let the two pieces dry separately. My biggest issue with the paddle was that the clasp used to dig into my lower hand when paddling, but that could have just been due to my size/height/hand placement as it seems that quite a few people use that paddle with nil issues. One day my brother-in-law fell on the blade while paddling and snapped it in half, now the whole paddle sits in the garage and I have upgraded to a KeNalu paddle. Try out one of the fixed paddles (KeNalu, Kialoa, QB, etc.), I think you'll find they don't have the same amount of flex that the Makani does either. Also, as has been said on here many times, some of the higher end paddles are replaceable at the blade, shaft and handle as well as some companies offering discounts to replace broken parts.

foamballer said..
This is what I had to say about it.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Leaky-Makani-2014-adjustable-paddle/
I swapped mine for another older (white and black) Makani, which I think is better.
There's a lot of advantages with an adjustable - kids can use it, fits on the back seat of the car, go shorter for surf, longer for paddling, adjust if you're feeling lazy, etc.

That's the main reason I went for the adjustable was so everyone can use it but to be honest other people using more board I'm a little precious about it. Thanks for the link I did a search and couldn't find anything. Obviously doing it wrong.

Aramathorn said..

Garnsy said..
Hi all ,

just wondering if anyone has had issues with water getting in on a Makani adjustable? the first time I took this paddle in the surf it broke when I was trying to catch a wave. the part that broke was replaced with no questions asked. Since then I have had no confidence in this paddle when trying to get on waves. The other issue I have is it lets a fair amount of water in( I know I should be on top of the water more) has anyone else had these issues? I'm seriously considering a new paddle not extendable. suggestions on a new paddle would be appreciated too. I'm 105 kgs 6'4 with a 10 ft Mana.

Thanks in advance.

I had an adjustable Makani that water used to get into as well. That didn't really bother me though, I'd just pull out the handle and dump the water out and then let the two pieces dry separately. My biggest issue with the paddle was that the clasp used to dig into my lower hand when paddling, but that could have just been due to my size/height/hand placement as it seems that quite a few people use that paddle with nil issues. One day my brother-in-law fell on the blade while paddling and snapped it in half, now the whole paddle sits in the garage and I have upgraded to a KeNalu paddle. Try out one of the fixed paddles (KeNalu, Kialoa, QB, etc.), I think you'll find they don't have the same amount of flex that the Makani does either. Also, as has been said on here many times, some of the higher end paddles are replaceable at the blade, shaft and handle as well as some companies offering discounts to replace broken parts.

I do pull the paddle apart and drain the water but a 2 hour surf last Friday I pulled it apart and drained the water 3 times. It gets noticeably heavier with the water inside. I might go and try a few out. At least I can compare then but have really lost faith in this paddle.

I think the 'clicking' is the little tab slipping on the ratchet grove - I had the same. On mine, it was a fine line between doing the screws up too tight (which would stop the slipping, but then the locking handle wouldn't sit flush and I was paranoid the whole lot was going to split), or having it a bit looser and putting up with the occasional slip (which always occurred just when you didn't need it and usually resulted in a quick dip). Mine paddle also developed a very small crease right where my bottom hand would go, not sure if I bumped it or if it was due to too much flex - either way, it wasn't a paddle I was wanting to take on long solo paddles. The water leakage thing by itself was enough to make me swap it.

hi Garnsy, i have been paddle surfing for some years now and have moved with the times since 2008 started with a steel naish paddle with the biggest fiberglass blade you have seen on a paddle board paddle and every other adjustable paddle in-between like yourself i am 102kg and 6"1 and ride a 8"10 mana and love it. the latest paddle i have is a quick blade magic 100. what i found that the stiffer sharft paddles with the larger blade suits us heavier guys. but it all comes down to how you paddle being 102kg riding a 130L board in the surf requires more power rather than speed and find that without that stiff shaft power is not generated to pick off waves

mothersupper said..

Garnsy said..
ok had another paddle today and have made the decision to try some other paddles. Has anyone tried the Naish Le wave paddle? Sounds like the KeNalu might be worth a try too.

hey garnsey where are you from i have a bunch of paddles you can try

Thanks for your input mothersupper. I'm in Adelaide. Have done a quick google search and doesn't seem to be a lot of choice here. I bought my board and paddle 12 months ago while living in Melbourne and there was a lot more choice.