Aqua Bound’s Sting Ray vs. Tango Kayak Paddles
4-minute read
Our Sting Ray and Tango kayak paddles are both designed for low-angle paddling, making it easy for you to spend long days on the water without fatigue or soreness.
Pictured here is Sting Ray Hybrid in Sunset Red and Tango Carbon
Here we explore their similarities and differences so you can make your best paddle purchase decision:
Comparing the Blades: Materials, Shapes and Colors
It’s the blades where you’ll notice the most visible difference between the Sting Ray models and the Tango models.
The Sting Ray line’s blades are made of carbon-reinforced nylon or fiberglass-reinforced nylon. They come in solid colors, depending on which material and model. Sting Ray Carbon is Black, Sting Ray Hybrid is Sunset Red or White, and Sting Ray Fiberglass is Sunset Red or Electric Green.
Tango’s blades are made of handcrafted multi-laminate carbon or handcrafted compression-molded fiberglass. The carbon model is available in Black. The fiberglass model is available in three eye-catching color options: Northern Lights, Fuego and Green Tide.
The compression molding process we use for Tango's blades allows us to produce these kinds of brilliant patterns and colors
The shape of the blades between the two models is very similar. The Sting Ray models have 92.5 square inches of blade, while the Tango models have 96 square inches of blade. The Tango’s are just a hair wider and shorter.
Comparing the Shafts
The shafts of the Sting Ray paddles are made of either 100% carbon or fiberglass, depending on the model you choose.
The Tango is available with a couple different types of carbon. We use 3K plain weave carbon in the bent shaft model. It’s known for its extreme stability, strength and ability to be shaped for ultra-comfortable ergonomics. The straight shaft models are constructed of T-700 carbon.
Tango Fiberglass in Northern Lights (photo by Rob McNamee)
Both Sting Ray and Tango are available in either 2-piece or 4-piece versions. Only the Tango is offered with a bent shaft option.
Comparing the Ferrule Systems
The ferrule system is the mechanism that connects the two halves of the shaft together at the center.
The Sting Ray models come with three ferrule options:
- Snap-button ferrule with two feathering angles, 0º and 60º
- Posi-Lok™ ferrule with a carbon construction and unlimited feathering angles
- Versa-Lok™ adjustable-length ferrule with composite construction and unlimited feathering angles
All of them are snug-fitting and easy to use. The Posi-Lok™ is especially functional and easy to adjust—even in mid-stroke. The Versa-Lok’s™ adjustability is ideal if other people will use your paddle, or if you have more than one boat.
The Tango models are available only with the Posi-Lok™ ferrule system.
Comparing the Weight Differences
We pride ourselves in the high-quality materials used in our paddles, and their hand-crafted construction. No matter which paddle you choose, you can be confident in its performance and durability.
But one of the huge differences in the materials between the two models—the Sting Ray and Tango—is the varying weights.
You wouldn’t think a few ounces would make that much difference. And it probably doesn’t if you only paddle for an hour at a time. But when you’re on the water all day long or for many days in a row, you’ll notice!
The Sting Ray models range from 33.5 ounces (Fiberglass 4-piece) to as light as 28.75 ounces (Carbon 2-piece).
The Tango, on the other hand, is just 28 ounces at its heaviest (fiberglass) to a feather-light 23 ounces for the 2-piece straight shaft Carbon model.
Sting Ray Hybrid and Sting Ray Carbon paddles (photo by Thrive Visuals)
Comparing the Prices
Of course, all these various factors go into how these paddles are priced.
The Sting Ray models start at a very affordable $129.95 for the Fiberglass 2-piece and go up to $244.95 for the Carbon 4-piece model.
If you love low-angle kayaking and get out several times a year, you’ll love a paddle from the Sting Ray line. The Sting Ray Hybrid is our best-selling kayak paddle.
The Tango models start at $324.95 for the Fiberglass 2-piece and top out at $524.95 for the Carbon bent shaft.
Are you an avid kayaker will highly-discerning taste? The Tango is for you!
See the entire Sting Ray paddle line.
See the entire Tango paddle line.
Got more questions? Get in touch with our friendly Customer Service team today: 715-755-3405 • [email protected]
More for you…
- Bent Shaft Paddles by Aqua-Bound
- Kayak Paddles: High-Angle vs. Low-Angle
- A Multi-Day Kayak Trip with Type 1 Diabetes