Whiskey/Tango Performance Kayak Paddles
10-minute read
One of the best things you can do to upgrade your kayaking adventures is to upgrade your paddle. Your paddle is the tool that’s in your hands during your whole trip, connecting you with the water and propelling you to your destination.
(Photo courtesy of Ken Whiting/Paddle TV)
No matter where you are in your kayaking journey, a premium performance paddle will make it more enjoyable and your on-water experience more memorable.
We introduced our Whiskey and Tango performance kayak paddles in 2017 and continue to improve them year after year to give you the best experience possible.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know when considering these paddles.
Who the Whiskey and Tango are Designed For
We introduced our Whiskey and Tango for people looking for something extremely lightweight, paddling long distances, or looking for the best construction on the market.
Our team of in-house engineers has rigorously tested and designed these products for experienced paddlers who want a smooth and effortless paddling stroke.
The Difference Between Whiskey and Tango
The main difference between these two families of paddles is the blade shape and profile.
Tango (left) and Whiskey (right) paddle blades (photo: Andrew Strain)
Whiskey Blade Shape
The Whiskey’s blades are the true high-angle shape sought after by sea kayakers, whitewater boaters and packrafters. Additionally, higher-cadence or more aggressive paddlers also love the torque and propulsion power of the Whiskey shape.
The short + wide combo is ideal to edge around the gunwale of the kayak for optimal forward propulsion when the blade is close to the kayak. It’s designed for a high-angle paddling style, with its powerful strokes that push a ton of water.
Tango Blade Shape
The Tango is our high-performance touring paddle, perfect for long, relaxed days on the water. It has a longer and skinnier blade than the Whiskey, designed for a low-angle paddling style.
For most flatwater kayakers, the Tango shape is the ideal combination of propulsion and efficiency, not letting an aggressive wind or current dictate your trip and energy level.
Compression Molded Blades
The most defining feature of the Whiskey and Tango is the compression-molded blades. These blades are handcrafted right at our facility in Osceola, Wisconsin, by a team of experts.
The fiberglass blades start with our gorgeous color patterns that are printed on silk fabric. Then we lay fiberglass and resin over the top, and place them in custom molds that use heat and pressure to shape them to exact specifications.
The carbon blades use the same process but with carbon (a lighter and stiffer material) instead of the silk fabric/fiberglass combination.
The dihedral of these blades reduces flutter, allowing for a more relaxed grip. That means a less fatiguing stroke for smooth paddling—whether it’s all day or for multiple days.
The core (or rib) of each blade is a hand-crafted foam core, designed to be lightweight and yet extremely stiff. This core is key to maintaining strength and stiffness in the paddle, just like a human’s spine.
Other materials commonly found in higher-end paddles are foil, wood or even high-end plastics. Although there are pros and cons to each, compression-molded blades like in the Whiskey and Tango are the optimal combination of lightweight, strength and long-lasting durability.
Lam-LokTM Edge Protection
Our newest Whiskey and Tango models feature our revolutionary edge protection we call Lam-LokTM. Originally developed for our newest family of high-end whitewater paddles, Lam-LokTM has been received with such excitement in the industry that we’re now using it on our other performance paddles as well.
Lam-LokTM consists of several rows of aramid thread stitched around each blade (about 15 feet per blade) where it’s the most vulnerable to chipping and delamination. The stitching goes through every layer of the blade to seal the edges together, and adds 5 times the lifespan compared to blades without it.
That’s great news for you, the buyer, but also for our planet’s environment. A longer-lasting paddle means one less paddle (or several less paddles, really) in our landfills.
Does the Light Weight Really Make a Difference?
Here’s a general rule of thumb for paddlers: Every ounce of weight saved equals 100 fewer pounds carried in an hour. So if your paddle is four ounces lighter and you paddle for five hours, you just saved yourself 2,000 pounds of paddle in a day.
(Photo: Tyson Crockett)
Because of this, we always recommend that people buy the lightest paddle they can afford. A lighter paddle is going to be made of higher quality, longer-lasting components, and will make you less tired at the end of the day.
Our Whiskey and Tango carbon options come in at 23 oz. (652 g) for the straight shaft version and 25.5 oz. (723 g) for the bent shaft option. Similarly, the fiberglass options come in at 26 oz. (737 g) for the straight shaft version and 28.5 oz. (808 g) for the bent shaft.
Compared to our competitors, these paddles are known for being the lightest options available at their price points.
Browse Whiskey and Tango Paddles
The Carbon Shaft Influences Weight & Performance
All our straight shaft Whiskey/Tango paddles are made with 100% T-700 carbon, meaning we do not use blended shafts.
T-700 is a high-quality, strong carbon fiber that’s often used in aerospace applications. Carbon is the most expensive material we use. It offers the best strength-to-weight ratio available for paddles. This provides an industry-low swing weight and slight shaft flex that promotes a smooth kayaking experience.
We also ovalize the shafts to shape the fit for more comfort in your hands compared to basic round shafts. The ovalized shape also lets you feel the orientation of the blades when they’re feathered or when one blade is in the water.
The bent shaft versions of both Tango and Whiskey have a triangular validation molded from 3K plain-weave 100% carbon. This gives an even more ergonomic grip for many hours on the water or in high-cadence paddling situations.
Learn more here: How We Design our Kayak & SUP Paddle Shafts
Two Patented Ferrule Options
The ferrule system is how the two halves of a kayak paddle fasten together to become one piece. A ferrule makes feathering your paddle possible and gives it the ability to break down for transport and storage.
All Whiskey and Tango models are available with either the Posi-Lok™ ferrule system or the Versa-Lok™ ferrule system. Both were developed by the engineers here at Aqua Bound.
About Posi-Lok™
There are several reasons why you might opt for the Posi-Lok™ ferrule:
- The parts are constructed of 100% carbon, which is strong, light and won’t rust like metal. This is especially helpful in saltwater.
- It offers multiple feathering angles in 15º increments.
- It’s extremely easy to use and adjust, even as you’re paddling.
- It fits tightly with no wiggle.
- Since it’s an external ferrule, sand and debris can’t collect inside your paddle shaft. That means less maintenance for you.
About Versa-Lok™
You may also want to consider our Versa-Lok™ ferrule, especially if you love the idea of an adjustable-length paddle:
- The parts are constructed of plastic, nylon, and stainless steel. Corrosion-resistant in saltwater.
- Up to 15 cm of length adjustability. Ideal if you have boats of different widths or if a friend will borrow it.
- It offers unlimited feathering angles.
- It’s simple to use and clamps tightly for a firm hold.
- Practically maintenance-free, other than a rinse after use.
What Breakdown/Shaft Options are Available?
Both Whiskey and Tango are available in the following breakdown/shaft options:
Straight Shaft 2-piece
The 2-piece option is our standard and most popular choice with customers. Straight shaft paddles are often cheaper and lighter. They also allow you flexibility in where you place your hands on the shaft compared to bent shaft paddles.
Bent Shaft 2-piece
Our bent shaft models are the lightest crank shaft option on the market today. This design allows touring paddlers to reduce fatigue and prolong their time on the water by aligning their wrists in a more natural position.
If you have wrist or upper body joint issues, consider a bent shaft paddle to dramatically reduce common paddling strain and enjoy more time on the water.
Read more here: Bent vs Straight Shaft Kayak Paddles
Straight Shaft 4-piece
The 4-piece breakdown is ideal for traveling, as they break down into sections as small as 20 inches (51 cm). They’ll even fit inside a carry-on or backpack. A 4-piece is especially popular for packrafts, inflatable kayaks and foldable kayaks that also emphasize portability.
How to Size Your Whiskey or Tango
For the Whiskey and Tango offering, we have three different sizing guides you’ll want to look at, depending on the model and the type of paddling you do.
It’s important to note that most Aqua Bound paddles (and paddles in general) only come in 10 cm increments. But both the Whiskey and Tango come standard in 5 cm increments. We think paddlers who invest in premium paddles need sizing options more deliberately designed for the conditions they’ll encounter.
Tango Sizing—As a low-angle paddle, the Tango sizing follows a standard flatwater, touring sizing guide, but with more sizing options due to the 5 cm increment.
Whiskey Sizing—Because of the aggressive high-angle nature of the Whiskey blade shape, most paddlers should size shorter than traditional sizing guides recommend.
See our Kayak Paddle Sizing Guide
Packrafting Sizing Guide—Most packrafters should use either a 205 or 210 cm length paddle, depending on the aggressiveness of their typical paddling trips. Here’s a more comprehensive guide depending on the packraft models and paddling conditions.
How to Care for Your Performance Kayak Paddle
Take care of your paddle investment to ensure it has a long, productive life and continues to look great.
After Each Use
After each use, we recommend that you:
- Separate your paddle halves for storing.
- Rinse each half with clean, fresh water, including the ferrule.
- Examine the internal parts of the shaft frequently to be sure they’re clear of water and debris.
When you’re not using it, store your kayak paddle halves apart in a clean, dry, indoor place whenever possible. Especially over the winter or other seasons when you’ll take some time off.
Cleaning the Blades
The easiest and cheapest way to keep your blades clean is to start with warm water and mild detergent. This could be all you need for our composite blades to clean up nicely.
While the first step is always a mild detergent, for more aggressive markings you may need a little more power. Our production team uses the three-part NOVUS Plastic Polishing system. It’s more of an investment, but worth it for clean blades.
- Plastic Clean & Shine: Use this to gently clean each blade and restore its shine.
- Fine Scratch Remover: This can be used to remove fine scratches, haziness and light abrasions.
- Heavy Scratch Remover: We do NOT recommend using this product on our blades. It’s too aggressive and may end up doing more harm than good.
If you follow these suggestions, your paddle will thank you! Some scratches and signs of wear are inevitable, but hey, that just means you’re using it!
[This blog post was written in 2021 and has been updated.]
If you have additional questions about paddle care or if you have a unique situation, call or email us, and we’ll do our best to help: 715-755-3405 or sales@aquabound.com
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