Are you on a budget for a kayak paddle but don’t want to sacrifice quality?
I know how it goes.
You are spending way more than you thought you would to outfit your kayak and now that you’ve gotten to the second most important part of the kayak, the paddle, you don’t want to spend a fortune.
Luckily, there are cheap kayak paddles out there that offer performance while not breaking the bank.
The Carlisle Magic Plus Kayak Paddle is exactly what you are looking for.
Inexpensive, yet designed and engineered like a more expensive paddle.
Let’s take a closer look at the features of the Carlisle Magic Plus Kayak Paddle.
Pros And Cons
Pros
Fairly lightweight at 39.8 ounces
Available in 220, 230, and 240 centimeters lengths
Very durable without being too stiff
2 piece construction for easy transport and storage
Asymmetrical, slightly spooned blade shape offers good power
Cons
Drip protector still drips a bit
Connection points become hard to move after a while
How Does It Perform?
There are two factors at play here that make this perform better than you would expect for the price.
The first is the the design of the blades. They are slightly scooped so you can pull a lot of water with one stroke. This gives you some speed without needing to exert yourself a lot and get fatigued.
Secondly, the reinforced polypropylene blades don’t flutter even when you are trying to paddle quickly. This makes every stroke very smooth and effective. Also, paddling becomes much more pleasant when you aren’t dealing with that annoying flutter.
The Carlisle magic plus fiberglass kayak paddle is much better than any aluminum paddle that might come with your kayak as it will beat them on being lightweight at a very minimum.
There is a bit of texture on the grip to make it easier to hold onto without needing padding or gloves for a firm hold. The fiberglass won’t transfer cold either so your hands can stay warm if it is cold out.
Plus, it is much more durable over aluminum and can transfer more power to the stroke.
If you are looking for a touring paddle then this definitely fits in that category. If you find yourself in lots of currents or in the rips, then you may want to look into a different paddle.
Slightly Customizable
Though the Carlisle magic plus fiberglass kayak paddle doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles, it does offer up some customization.
For instance, you can feather the blades up to a 40° angle if you prefer to not use them symmetrical. And then you can even set it to favor either right handed or left handed paddling.
Durability
If this is going to be your primary paddle, don’t worry. It can stand up to the rigors of frequent use.
The fiberglass reinforcement gives it a rigidity that you don’t get with straight propylene-based shafts. There is still a bit of flex so it won’t feel brittle, but it also can handle a few bumps and bangs without snapping.
The one issue that comes up as far as durability goes is where the pieces connect. You’ll need to make sure you are wiping this down if you are paddling in salt water or in water that has a lot of sediment or seaweed that could end up griming up the connection.
Best Way To Use The Paddle
Though this can be considered a lightweight kayak paddle for the money, it still isn’t as light as you would need it to be for long outings.
I think the best way to use this paddle is to go for short outings and stick to touring rather than performance. If you are going about it leisurely then this is a great paddle. If you need speed and have to paddle aggressively, then you may end up fatigued.
There are cheaper paddles out there, but are they lighter? That is very doubtful. There are lighter paddles out there but are they cheaper? No way.
So, keep in mind what kind of a paddle you have and go from there. If you are kayak fishing then I think this is a good economical paddle to get you out on the fish.
The longer version is a good low angle paddle to quietly paddle to your favorite honey hole.
Summary
I hope this Carlisle Magic Plus kayak paddle review has helped you decide if it is going to be right for you or if you need to check out our other paddles reviews.
My opinion is that this is a really solid kayak paddle that can suit a laid back experience. It is not a high performance so if you are not looking for that then I think this is a great choice.
Do you have any questions about this paddle or any others? Then drop a line in the comment box below and I will get back to you ASAP!