downwind angle

I'm wondering at what angle from the wind a skilled paddler can navigate and still have the whole trip be a downwind paddle. 15 degrees off of directly downwind? 30 degrees? I am not talking about the angle one can surf on an individual wave, but the overall angle for the whole trip.

The variable of background swell angle and size to the wind/runners could have a big effect on the answer. With a reasonable swell you can be using the swell to cut back across the runner lines increasing the angle of the downwind line.

Taking background swell out I would have guestimated somewhere between 15 and 30 depending on the size of the runners (effects how much "run" is generated)

If I am out in the bay area I like to do downwinds in I call it taking my medicine when I choose to turn across the swell/runners and paddle 1 to 2km to get the best line before turning to where I'm going. If I see that I am having to do too much working across the runners I will just turn and paddle across again until the angle has improved. This way I can enjoy the downwind rather than having to concentrate on working across to a particular point. Nothing worse that coming to the coastline and having to paddle a up to a few hundred metres across the runners to beach in the right place. I like to ease off and coast right up to where I'm getting out, the best feeling after a downwind.