Forgive my ignorance on this subject, but I'm about to buy my first kayak and I got the quote today on everything. I need a 250cm paddle, is $180 about what you need to pay for a quality paddle? Seems a little steep to me, but I'm not really seeing any much cheaper. Thanks in advance.

In my humble opinion, paddles are a lot like fishing reels and scopes. They are a "buy once, cry once" kinda thing.

I paid a little over $200 for mine (a BB Angler Ace), but I have done more than one all-night excursions where I spent the majority of it paddling and never once did the paddle get "too heavy" or fail to perform as expected.

You can buy a $50 paddle or a $450 paddle. Look for your price point in relation to surface area of the blade and weight. Aluminum and fiberglass shafts are cheaper but heavier. I have a Manta Ray Carbon that was $190 and weighs 29.5 oz. I also have a Bending Branches Slice Hybrid Plus paddle ($179) that is 31 oz and has a slightly small blade. That's pretty much my price limit. I can feel the difference in weight and blade surface area.

You can get a good paddle for $130 that will be in the 34-38 oz range, it's up to you decide if a lighter paddle is worth more money.

It like my Skagit for the price

http://www.amazon.com/Werner-WERNER-Skagit-Kayak-Paddle/dp/B007GFCI5M

Paddles are the motor. Thats the last place id skimp.

As a person who started out with a cheaper paddle, I would recommend getting the best you can afford. The weight and stiffness are going to do alot to reduce fatigue and make paddling more efficient. I have the bb angler ace and am very happy with my upgrade.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm going to go with the recommended paddle based on all the recommendations.

ive bought the cheap and the high end. to each his own. youve got to find what works 4u.
just remember that the right paddle 4u will help make the yak anglin experience more enjoyable.
the wrong paddle will do the oposite IMO.