Great review as always Wayne. In the market for my first DB paddle and narrowed it down to this one, then found your video which provided good assurance to pull the trigger.
Hi Chris, both models are priced the same, but the main difference is the size of the blades. The StingRay has 6.25X18 blades, whereas the MantaRay's are and inch wider at 7.25x18. This increases the paddles weight by only 1 ounce, but the wider blades are designed oh push more water. Here's a quote from the company..."Big, beefy blades are ideal for high-angler paddlers needing more power to move more water and heavy boats."
I've owned this paddle as well as one of their cheaper paddles. The cheap paddle was surprisingly good for the price point! But this model? Terrible, at least for me. The main problem is that it slips while wearing gloves. Bare hands, no problem. Not sure if it's the paddle or me wearing gloves but, the blade flutters unless I perfectly concentrate on counteracting the flutter effect. Aqua Bound uses a strong emphasis in their dehydrial blades which is less forgiving of catches and conducive to this effect. Change back to my Werner-- problem solved.
I've owned two Aqua Bounds and two Werner and IMO the Werner's are just a better designed and built paddle. There is a head to head shootout by 'Headwaters Kayak' on YT. I get flutter on my $250. Sting Ray, and it slips while wearing gloves. The Werner is SOLID, and while equally light, feels like a weapon in my hands-- a well balanced, tough weapon that also happens to look pretty-- Werner Camano. Werner recommends this carbon paddle with fibre glass blades over their own pure carbon $$$ paddle for rough use-- pushing off rocks, etc. It weighs one ounce more than the carbon; it's prettier and stronger. The other thing Werner has going for it is the perfect size (100 sq inch face) and their non symmetrical 'low angle' shape.
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Great review as always Wayne. In the market for my first DB paddle and narrowed it down to this one, then found your video which provided good assurance to pull the trigger.
My first decent paddle and now a backup to my Werner Camano carbon.
A decent paddle...agree! Costs a bit more, but very well engineered, and it just ‘feels’ right.
Same here... The Werner Camano is a noticeably better paddle. The Aqua Bound is my spare.
What is the main difference between the manta ray, and the stingray paddle?
Hi Chris, both models are priced the same, but the main difference is the size of the blades. The StingRay has 6.25X18 blades, whereas the MantaRay's are and inch wider at 7.25x18. This increases the paddles weight by only 1 ounce, but the wider blades are designed oh push more water. Here's a quote from the company..."Big, beefy blades are ideal for high-angler paddlers needing more power to move more water and heavy boats."
I've owned this paddle as well as one of their cheaper paddles. The cheap paddle was surprisingly good for the price point! But this model? Terrible, at least for me. The main problem is that it slips while wearing gloves. Bare hands, no problem. Not sure if it's the paddle or me wearing gloves but, the blade flutters unless I perfectly concentrate on counteracting the flutter effect. Aqua Bound uses a strong emphasis in their dehydrial blades which is less forgiving of catches and conducive to this effect. Change back to my Werner-- problem solved.
How does it compare to Werner paddles?
I'm afraid i cannot make a comparison as I have never used a Werner Paddle.
I've owned two Aqua Bounds and two Werner and IMO the Werner's are just a better designed and built paddle. There is a head to head shootout by 'Headwaters Kayak' on YT. I get flutter on my $250. Sting Ray, and it slips while wearing gloves. The Werner is SOLID, and while equally light, feels like a weapon in my hands-- a well balanced, tough weapon that also happens to look pretty-- Werner Camano. Werner recommends this carbon paddle with fibre glass blades over their own pure carbon $$$ paddle for rough use-- pushing off rocks, etc. It weighs one ounce more than the carbon; it's prettier and stronger. The other thing Werner has going for it is the perfect size (100 sq inch face) and their non symmetrical 'low angle' shape.
Thanks for the review. Brian 77