What about the size of paddle itself? It is better to have more area or less area?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of big paddles (presumably fewer strokes) versus little paddles (presumably more but easier strokes)??

When I ordered the ZRE paddles to match me and the Advantage solo, I specified 1 bent 14 degree, 48 inch length and a 8 inch width, the other is straight 50 inch 8 1/2 inch wide blade. Came to this combination by trial (borrowing and trying other paddles) and error(finding the paddles I had owned unsuited).

I can easily paddle for hours with the bent small blade, the cadence is faster but much easier. The straight is best suited for fishing, and leisure paddling, faster response more control but feels much heavier in the water, and is more tiring. Both paddles are within a 1/2oz, and under 10oz each.

No advantages/disadvantages, they are 2 different tools to achieve different goals. Either can do what the other does, just not as well.

butthead

Shorter fatter paddles transmit forces along the edge more readily. This is good for when you want to turn.. This is bad for long periods of travel since every little oz of force on the edge is transmitted to your body. Long skinny paddles do not turn the boat as readily but over the course of the day are easier on your body.

Hit and switch paddles are short as trying to pass a long paddle over your boat repeatedly during the day is very tiring. The savings in a small hit and switch paddle like the ZRE I have ( it is lollipopped shape) is that every time you lift it ounces count.

I paddle with a bent ZRE 99% of the time. It replaced a beautiful and significantly wider wood paddle by Gillespie (very light for wood, but a war club compared to the ZRE). I generally paddle solo using hit and switch. The wide blade is effective when paddling shallow streams or for very short periods against strong current (like small rapids) when I have trouble achieving a cadence that can overcome the flow with the ZRE.

Take the logical approach and rent one for one trip and decide for yourself. Like canoes, clearly everyone prefers something different. I am a experienced and accomplished paddler but prefer a slower more powerful paddling stroke. My son and I just made a 28 mile 9 portage trip in 9 hours last Friday with our trusty BB paddles. Good enough for us on a bad day.

quote BnD: "Take the logical approach and rent one..."

That would have been logical...

I am not very patient. I just bought a ZRE paddle about an hour ago. I have a trip in 10 days. I'll let you know how it goes...