This paddle telescopes from 23" to 42", making it the perfect stowaway and an essential tool for unexpected equipment failures. The blade is crafted of high-impact plastic while the telescoping shaft is corrosion-resistant aluminum.
I thought these were a great little emergency paddle until I needed them last time out. Although they were fairly new and used only a few times when I had to try to paddle out after being blown into shallow water I couldn't open either one. Ended up getting blown ashore and had to jump in and wade the boat into deeper water. Later I needed to use a pair of vice grips to unlock and extend the paddles. Needless to say they're in the recycle bin now.
This paddle is very handy on the boat, and collapses to a small and easily stored size. We use it mainly to maneuver tubes around; I don't think the paddle is long enough to be of much use moving our 24' boat. In fact, that's why I gave it a 4 rather than a 5. I wish it were about a foot longer. It is the size listed in the catalog, so the short length isn't from false advertizing - I just wish I had realized how hard it would be to reach over the sides of the boat and use this short paddle to move in tight quarters.
I bought these paddles to use in a small inflatable boat that I drift down the river in on sunny days. These paddles were a perfect choice. Light, very compact. and efficient to use. I would buy them again.