Werner Skagit FG Review

Similar to the Camano, the Skagit FG utilizes Werner's Smart View adjustment system and carefully designed blades to deliver a high-quality paddle.

Performance Comparison

Performance

This paddle didn't have the higher performance feel of paddles with a carbon or fiberglass blade construction such as the Aqua-Bound Sting Ray and Werner Camano. However, when considering cheaper paddles with a plastic blend, it is important to remember that not all plastics are created equal. This particular blend is well suited to kayaking. More rigid than the Bending Branches and SeaSense, the Skagit blades deliver a more effective stroke, with less flutter.

Ease of adjustment

The Smart View system makes this paddle easy to adjust, assuming you haven't allowed sand or grit to collect in the connection point. The viewing portal enables paddles to identify the feather of the paddle, making it straightforward to adjust with little thought. Werner offers nine options for the blade feather angle, which testers found more than sufficient to meet different needs and paddling conditions.

Locking Mechanism Security

At first glance, you could easily mistake this paddle for a one-piece. Even after paddling with it on the water you are not likely to experience any instability in the point of connection. This system consistently outperformed the basic snap button system used by the Magic Plus and the Bending Branches. The only system out there that tested as more secure was Aqua-Bound's Posi-Lok.

Weight

The reinforced nylon injection molded blades make this paddle heavier than the fiberglass laminate Camano. However, it still weighs in less than most of its competitors due to its lightweight carbon blend shaft.

Durability

The blades on the Skagit are more durable than the Camano, and we identified it as one of the toughest of all those we tested. It shone in the gravel bank test and survived being tossed in a roof box for hundreds of miles with other gear rattling around. After extensive use, testers found that the two-piece paddle became difficult to adjust or dismantle. The adjustment point benefits from some basic care to ensure that this does not happen.

Best Applications

If you intend to use a recreational sit-on-top kayak, you are likely to find this paddle perfectly adequate to your needs. This paddle is also well-suited to an emerging paddler looking to purchase a paddle they know they can rely on to perform for years to come. Those looking to tour long distances or perform high-speed sprints may want to consider a lighter, higher performing paddle such as the Camano or Aqua-Bound

Value

The Skagit delivers many features of a premium paddle like the Werner Camano, for a much lower price. We, therefore, consider this a paddle to be a great value. However, it is possible to purchase a perfectly functional paddle, like the Bending Branches for $100 less, so some may argue that this price is still too much for a first paddle purchase.

Conclusion

Given the significant price difference between the Camano and the Skagit, we expected a more significant difference in performance. Although the Skagit is heavier and doesn't have the same smooth catch and pull in the water, it still lives up to Werner's quality name and delivers a more than satisfactory performance. Novice paddlers are unlikely to notice the slight flutter that the blade can deliver when placed under duress, however expert paddlers may notice this when digging in for a stroke and wish they had the more rigid Camano or Aqua-Bound

Other Versions and Accessories

• Also available in 1 piece or 4 pieces.

• Lengths 205 to 260cm in 5cm increments

• Werner also makes this paddle with Carbon Fiber reinforced nylon injection molded blades

• Skagit hooked available