Blog Article · Choosing A Paddle · Instructional Article · Kayaking · Ray Series · tango paddles · whiskey paddles ·Oct 03, 2022

Aqua Bound's Posi-Lok™ Ferrule System

A ferrule system is the mechanism that connects the two halves of a kayak paddle together in the center. Aqua Bound’s Posi-Lok™ ferrule system makes it super easy to connect, disconnect and change feathering angles.

Posi-Lok Ferrule System

Aqua Bound's Posi-Lok™ ferrule is easily identified by its bright orange color

A ferrule system can be simple and straightforward, like the snap-button ferrule. That’s what almost all recreational kayak paddles use, with varying degrees of snugness and reliability.

Or a ferrule system can be highly functional and intuitive, like the Posi-Lok™ ferrule.

Learn more in the video below:

Licensed Ferrule US Patent No. 6,881,111

What Makes Posi-Lok™ a Better Ferrule?

Simple and Intuitive—Unlike some ferrules, the Posi-Lok™ is extremely easy to understand and use. There are no gadgets or mechanics to learn. Hit the two buttons and click. It’s that simple.

The Click—The Posi-Lok™ ferrule clicks firmly and unmistakably into place, reassuring you that it’s ready to use. You can have complete confidence in this ferrule positive connection.

Strength and Durability—Made of carbon composite, the Posi-Lok™ ferrule is 42% stronger than plastic ferrules and much lighter. The resilience of this ferrule is strong enough that you’ll never worry about putting your weight on the paddle again.

Tight fit—No wear, wiggle or movement in this ferrule system at all.

No metal parts—Metal parts corrode when exposed to extensive amounts of salt water. With no metal parts, the Posi-Lok™ ferrule is friendly to all of the world’s waters.

The Feel—Once you get a paddle with this ferrule in your hands, the overall feel is amazing. Durable, tight, seamless design.

Smooth and easy adjustability—It’s easy to adjust the feather angle on the fly.

External ferrule—No hard-to-reach sand or debris will collect inside your paddle shaft, because the ferrule is on the outside. That means less maintenance for you.

Dual-button release locks the ferrule securely. If you press one of the buttons accidentally, it won’t disengage the Posi-Lok™ ferrule.

Multiple feathering positions—You can feather this ferrule to 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 degree right and left hand control. That means you can tailor your feather to whatever angle—or none—that works best for you.

You can trust Posi-Lok™ even in remote wilderness areas (photo courtesy of Luc Mehl)

How We Developed Posi-Lok™

Market Research—Our research was simply about listening. We asked our customers to describe the perfect ferrule system and the feedback was powerful.

We heard things like: it must be simple, intuitive, lightweight, durable, tight-fitting, low-profile, strong, salt-water friendly and easy to adjust. Overall, it’s just got to feel right.

Every word of feedback drove our product development process.

Design—Then it was time to take that feedback and design the ultimate ferrule. Concept 1, Concept 2, Concept 5, Concept 15…you get the point. Afterall, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Each concept would have most of the features our customers needed, but not all of them. Every concept pushed us one step closer to the final product we were striving for and dreaming of.

Then one day it came to us. This is what we’ve been waiting for—the Posi-Lok™ ferrule system.

Testing—Once we had the design, it was time to challenge every single aspect of this ferrule system.

Both internal staff and external customers took the Posi-Lok™ ferrule to the extremes. We tested everything: strength, durability, rotational-ability, UV exposure, tightness, torque, wear-and-tear, salt-water exposure, and more.

You name it, it’s likely we tested it. We wanted to make sure it was the ultimate ferrule system for every customer and any circumstance.

Outcome—The last thing a paddler should worry about when enjoying the water is the paddle's ferrule system. The Posi-Lok™ ferrule is here to provide that service.

Every component makes the kayaking experience more worry-free and enjoyable. With quality, long-lasting materials and Aqua-Bound’s history of performance innovation, we guarantee your satisfaction.

Man holding Green Tide Whiskey paddle above his head

Posi-Lok™ has been tested extensively out in the field (photo by Neil Irwin)

Aqua-Bound Paddles with the Posi-Lok Ferrule

All of our mid-range and elite kayak paddles are available with our Posi-Lok™ ferrule system. These include:

Whiskey Carbon and Whiskey Fiberglass

Our finest high-angle kayak paddles. Whiskey Carbon features 100% carbon from tip-to-tip. Whiskey Fiberglass features the same 100% carbon shaft with compression-molded fiberglass blades in three distinctive colors.

Both models come in 2-piece straight shaft, 4-piece straight shaft and 2-piece bent shaft. All feature the Posi-Lok™ ferrule.

See our Whiskey line-up here.

Tango Carbon and Tango Fiberglass

Our finest low-angle kayak paddles. Tango Carbon features 100% carbon from tip-to-tip. Tango Fiberglass features the same 100% carbon shaft with compression-molded fiberglass blades in those same distinctive colors.

Both models come in 2-piece straight shaft, 4-piece straight shaft and 2-piece bent shaft. All feature the Posi-Lok™ ferrule.

See our Tango line-up here.

Manta Ray Carbon and Manta Ray Hybrid

A high-value kayak paddle with a lower price point for serious high-angle paddlers. Manta Ray Carbon has a 100% carbon shaft with carbon-reinforced nylon blades. Manta Ray Hybrid has the same shaft with fiberglass-reinforced nylon blades.

Both models come in 2-piece and 4-piece straight shaft options and your choice of either Posi-Lok™ or our Versa-Lok™ (adjustable) ferrule system.

See our Manta Ray Posi-Lok line-up here.

Sting Ray Carbon and Sting Ray Hybrid

Our best-selling flatwater low-angle kayak paddles. Sting Ray Carbon has a 100% carbon shaft with carbon-reinforced nylon blades. Sting Ray Hybrid has the same shaft with fiberglass-reinforced nylon blades.