So... Straight or Bent-shaft paddles?

One of each - always for me.
That way I have a spare, times I like the straight other times bent.

SunCatcher

quote SunCatcher: "One of each - always for me.
That way I have a spare, times I like the straight other times bent.


SunCatcher


"

+1

butthead

+2

I bring 2 different straights. My bow paddler likes his bent.

quote SunCatcher: "One of each - always for me.
That way I have a spare, times I like the straight other times bent.


SunCatcher


"

I have the same set-up for the same reasons.

quote HighnDry: "

quote SunCatcher: "One of each - always for me.
That way I have a spare, times I like the straight other times bent.



SunCatcher



"

I have the same set-up for the same reasons."

What are the Pros/cons of each?

Bents are definitely more efficient across an open course. Many people find steering strokes harder and so may switch sides more often. Simply put, marathon canoe racers use them because they are efficient.

Straight paddles can be easier for steering strokes. So better in twisty creeks or navigating a rock garden on the way into a portage landing. We also use wood straights so we don't mind using them to push off of rocks or banks. Our carbon fiber bents are very strong but have a very thin edge that I like to keep clean for best paddling efficiency.

We both carry one of each and switch depending on conditions. Our two carbon fiber Zaveral bents weigh less than the one metal and plastic spare paddle they replaced. So, less weight but more flexibility and even one more spare.

If I had to go down to two paddles for a tandem, I would probably go with two bents. But I would never not have a spare. So, with three paddles for two paddlers it would be two bents and one straight with the stern paddler having the two paddles and the bow paddles sticking with a bent.

If you solo with a yak paddle, bent or straight or both for the spare etc?

quote SunCatcher: "One of each - always for me.
That way I have a spare, times I like the straight other times bent.


SunCatcher


"

+3, same here.

quote SunCatcher: "One of each - always for me.
That way I have a spare, times I like the straight other times bent.


SunCatcher


"

Ditto.

I paddle solo. If I was forced to choose one, I'd do straight.

when we tandem it's 2 straight wooden paddles, when I solo it's my 260cm yak paddle and my straight shaft wooden paddle. I found trying to fish with a yak paddle is just plain ugly. I don't carry a third paddle when I solo, but will probably start this year. FRED

I only solo paddle my tandem canoes. I only use straight shaft beaver tails - not like most folks I guess.

Bob.

Solo or tandem I use bent- bought my first bent in 85 and have never gone back.

quote billconner: "If you solo with a yak paddle, bent or straight or both for the spare etc?"

My first trip I took a kayak paddle, and a bentshaft. The kayak paddle stayed bungied to the thwarts for 95% of the trip. I just didn't care for it. I now take two wooden bentshafts, because one was given to me, and one came with the canoe I purchased. I am lusting after a Zaveral carbon fiber paddle, and it would be bent. Next purchase might be a straight shaft as my secondary/back-up paddle.

Take 2 straights and a spare for your first trip. You probably won't be good enough paddlers to notice much advantage from the bents and just paddling straight will be enough of a challenge. If you do take bents, make sure you know which way to use them ;).

quote boonie: "Take 2 straights and a spare for your first trip. You probably won't be good enough paddlers to notice much advantage from the bents and just paddling straight will be enough of a challenge. If you do take bents, make sure you know which way to use them ;)."

Lol, I took some kids out canoeing on a nearby lake and let some use my bent shaft paddles. One kid kept insisting he was using it right but had it backwards. My sons kept telling him he was doing it wrong but they finally gave up. Eventually he figured out he was wrong after my kids were paddling circles around him when racing and such. It was kinda comical.

I prefer a straight in the stern but a bent 14 up front. I have a 7 degree bent that works pretty well in the stern also but the 14 degree just did not feel right to me paddling from the back.

I was introduced to canoeing using bent shaft paddle. Never thought of switching to straight type until purchasing a "big" Weenonah Champlain boat.
Straight shaft is very beneficial paddling in the stern seat. I'm small and straight longer paddle gives me more power into the wind and supports my small frame with more leverage. Bent is tremendous in the bow and/or quiet waters.
I switch often depending on conditions.

One of my seasoned canoe friends, uses bent shaft backwards. No matter what argument we present to her she never switched. Perplexing , I know:)

Most beginners on stand up paddle boards in our harbor use their bent shaft paddles backwards. A few years back. I came to the conclusion that they don't like it when you sail up to them in. 20', 1 ton boat for a chat about paddling technique.

We have also corrected some folks deep into the BW who had them backwards for their whole first day. But they still got pretty far.

Straight for the bow, bent shaft for the stern.

I prefer bent. Can't speak too much technically, but I just like the feel more and have never gone back to a straight paddle.

After my first time using a bent paddle, I have never looked back. 100% of my time is spent in the stern and I notice no difficulties with executing corrections or steering. The whole idea of using a bent paddle is to keep a more vertical blade face in the water for a longer portion of the last half of each stroke, when most of the power is being provided. Why not?

(Oh, it's nice to have an old straight paddle along as the spare... something to fillet walleye on.)

Bonus: Last November, I won a Bending Branches Cruiser Plus canoe paddle - 11 degree bend - in Williams and Hall's raffle. Happened to be my perfect 54" length, too. Anxious to try it out.

quote QueticoMike: "Straight for the bow, bent shaft for the stern."

Do you have that backwards Uncle Mike?

Bent shaft seems to be a more efficient paddle (I am always in the stern) that results in a slightly faster speed overall. An unexpected benefit has been many more steering options that don't slow the canoe down--I find it much easier to push or pull the canoe to one side or the other from the stern, making it easier to steer in the wind and much easier in tight corners in creeks. I would never go back to a straight paddle.

Bent-shaft paddles in the bow and stern... 100% of the time. Lakes or rivers. We'll strap in one straight-blade paddle with BDBs so our group has a spare - straight-blade because it's easier to keep it out of the way up against the side of the canoe.

quote andym: "Most beginners on stand up paddle boards in our harbor use their bent shaft paddles backwards. A few years back. I came to the conclusion that they don't like it when you sail up to them in. 20', 1 ton boat for a chat about paddling technique.
We have also corrected some folks deep into the BW who had them backwards for their whole first day. But they still got pretty far. "

Watched "Amazing Race" last night and everyone they showed had them backwards and some gripping the shaft instead of the handle. Now, I can imagine being clueless about which side, but did anyone think to look at the professionals they were racing? And using a "Handle" on something is pretty much a "Given" I would think? Geesh!

On the river I carry 3 paddles. "Yes," I carry 3 every since one broke on my 1/2 mile into a 3 day trip! I usually have my Werner with a big power face for tricky spots and at least one bent. In the BWCAW I usually have two Zav's and a beavertail; the beavertail just FEELS right in the evening or early morning quiet water paddling.

As you get experience, you'll find J-strokes, Canadian, sculling, etc . are all possible with a good bent shaft paddle. And if you're not sure about bent shafts and don't want to drop all that $$$ on a Zav (I bought mine when a "Blem" was barely over a C-note) try a Bending Branches Viper. BB Viper
I've "Sold" 3 of my friends on this paddle! Hmmm, come to think of it, only 3 have tried it, and all use it as their primary paddle now.

Sitting; bent
kneeling: straight

Bents have a unidirectional grip which makes some strokes ( the J) uncomfortable but the J is possible.. Not good for the stern pry ( aka goon) as the bend angle puts on too much brake

I prefer straight for most of my paddling.
Bent if it is just about making miles on lakes and easy rivers, if I bothered to bring one.

My daughter and I use bents, my husband prefers a straight, we bring a spare straight because it straps in nicer and we don't move it unless we need it. My dad bought his first bent paddle in the early 80s? I was young and impressionable and bonded with it and have never looked back.

Bents 100%. more efficient. Stern paddlers-- if you steer/rudder/j stroke/ your not switching enough or paddling hard enough on the other side. Bow paddlers-- Bents 110%. Most BW/Q etc. trippers thrive on low weight/ efficiency when it comes to gear for portaging --- Why not the same on the water? as bents-- with proper use-- are as much as 10% more efficient then them straights. 10% (even 5%) over the long haul is a huge deal.


Straight-- spare / and to fillet fish.

Bent for bow and I prefer straight for stern ( I kneel alot). Our spare is a bent; but only 5 or 7 degrees (forget which) and while sitting stern I usually switch to it.

its all about angle.
Bents =sitting
straight=kneeling or when you do lots of palm rolls. Bents of 12 degrees optimize the verticality of your stroke especially at the end of the power stroke avoid lifting water.

Stern if you are yawing and needing correction alot , its not at all about power
Its cause your stroke is following the gunwale and you are doing a sweep or you are carrying your power phase too far in back of your hip. Little weak women make great stern paddlers.

We have used straight shaft paddles in the past however we just purchased a bent shaft paddle so are anxious to give it a try this year. I think my wife will like it a lot as she is in the bow.

quote billconner: "If you solo with a yak paddle, bent or straight or both for the spare etc?"

I would go straight just from experience. My bent is harder to Steer than my straight especially when soloing for some reason. Otherwise, in tandem, front or rear, I'll never use anything but a bent shaft since trying one a few years back. Stroke volume is unmatched...unless you're holding it backwards. Lol.

quote yellowcanoe"
Stern if you are yawing and needing correction alot , its not at all about power
Its cause your stroke is following the gunwale and you are doing a sweep or you are carrying your power phase too far in back of your hip."

Good point. I'll keep that in mind.

I found a couple bents of different makes for an incredible price at Sportsman's Guide a few years ago and one actually turned out to be a lower angle paddle, somewhere around 10 degrees I'd guess. I've found it to be a nice compromise for stern paddling (where I spend most of my time) as I can still make corrective strokes effectively while also retaining some of the efficiency of a bent paddle. I'm not sure there are many of them out there but it's something to keep in mind if you spend a lot of time in the stern.

I always use a bentshaft whether paddling tandem or solo.

I always feel I paddle stronger and have more control over my canoe with the bent shaft. I have a dandy Bell Kevlar bentshaft, really, really light and also a "Quad" bent shaft from Sawyer paddles. The quad is very ergonomic and works well for me.

Wife has always used a 14 bent in the bow and until a few years ago I used a straight in the stern. Since I switched to a bent I will never go back and positively have no trouble with steering strokes. There is no doubt that a straight is a bit better at times when you need to perform more radical or frequent steering correction but I personally haven't found the bent to be much of a handicap at all in those situations and definitely adds speed and efficiency in a straight line. My spare is a straight but never used anymore.