Hello, I am looking to purchase a new paddle for canoe trips. I have always used a straight paddle and was thinking about getting a bent shaft paddle. My question is how well do these work for tandem solo canoeing and how well do they work for a back rudder if I am with another paddler?

They work great!

We spend most of our time using our bent shaft paddles and I also solo our tandem that way sometimes. We actually both carry a wood straight and a carbon fiber (Zaveral) bent shaft paddle and use the wood straights when it gets rocky or on narrow streams. We had the wood paddles and replaced our metal/plastic spare with the two carbon fiber paddles. That saved weight and gave us more performance.

I personally think that all canoes should have a spare paddle. If I was going with three paddles in a canoe, I would give both people bent shaft paddles and have the stern person keep a straight near them for times when they want to use it.

If I was going to be limited to touching only one paddle, I would take the bent shaft.

Pretty much anything you can do with a straight shaft you can do with a bent shaft.J stroke, C stroke, draws, wedges, low braces, ect can all be done with ease. White water may be your exception. The bent shaft keeps the paddle blade vertical in the water longer thus making it more efficient. It's so funny to me how widely accepted bent shafts are accepted now. I started bringing bent shafts to the BW in the late 80s. Man talk about poo pooing from just about everyone I encountered

I use a bent shaft exclusively in my solo and tandem. That said, I got a yak paddle for the solo at Copia, and I am excited to try it out this season.

I am also seriously considering a straight shaft from XY paddles as I will be in Atikokan a couple times this summer. Their work is beautiful...

XY Paddles

Used straight for years but changed to yak paddles when I started soloing more. Then Ozarkpaddler sold me his double bend Viper. By far my favorite paddle!

We use bent shaft paddles 100% of the time on canoe trips. We do, however, bring one straight blade paddle per group and strap it into the canoe with Bungee Dealee Bobs in case someone breaks a paddle.

All paddle strokes, including ruddering, are done very easily with a bent shaft paddle. I see no reason for a straight blade on lake tripping.

I have used a bent shaft paddle for so long I don’t remember what a straight was like in the stern. It didn’t seem like much of a difference for doing the j-stroke or other strokes but I didn’t have much experience back then so the transition might have been easier for me?

Anyway mechanically and scientifically speaking the bent shaft is more efficient but their is always personal preference, I know a few people, only a few that prefer a straight.

T

AmarilloJim: "Used straight for years but changed to yak paddles when I started soloing more. Then Ozarkpaddler sold me his double bend Viper. By far my favorite paddle!"

That Viper "Double bend" certainly is a nice paddle, isn't it? I also had a 48" Viper that was fine when I was a "Sitter" in my canoes. As a kneeler it was way too short. Gave it to my buddy's wife, but HE pilfered it from her and uses nothing else (LOL).

I'll reiterate what's already been said, you can do anything with a bent that you can do with a straight with a little practice. I use my old Zav most of the time but bought a really nice "Blem" Wenonah last winter that I'm waiting to inaugurate in the BWCAW in June.

That said, sometimes an old wood ottertail or beavertail with an underwater recovery just feels "Right," so I always take one with me.

Hey, Jim, look what my buddy was using yesterday, the Viper. And I can say that next week and next and..........

We also have switched to exclusively bent shaft with one straight as a back up, I do think that all bent shaft outfitter paddles should be equipped with a sticker on one side that says "if you can read this turn your paddle around" if you know what I mean.....

nooneuno: "We also have switched to exclusively bent shaft with one straight as a back up, I do think that all bent shaft outfitter paddles should be equipped with a sticker on one side that says "if you can read this turn your paddle around" if you know what I mean....."

Yes!!! We once had a couple stop by our site on Polly to make sure they knew where they were. It was their first day. After confirming their map reading skills, I gave them a quick lesson on bent shaft paddles. Yes, they had made it from Kawishiwi Lake to Polly using the paddles backwards. They were pretty sure they were doing it the way the outfitter had told them but were willing to accept my advice.

People on stand up paddle boards have the same problem. But I've found that they don't like me sailing a 20 foot, 1 ton boat up along side them to provide advice.

nooneuno: "...I do think that all bent shaft outfitter paddles should be equipped with a sticker on one side that says "if you can read this turn your paddle around" if you know what I mean....."

Yes, without a doubt. Great suggestion.

My spare is a straight shaft which tends to store better.

Bents give a better exit angle for the seated paddler. Straights for the kneeling paddler. You want to avoid lifting water.

That said straights are more versatile and allow inwater recovery with a palm roll. Something bents are not designed for especially with a dedicated one way grip.

No you cant quite do everything with a bent that you can with a straight. Try a cross draw with a bent. Betcha you wind up pushing down water instead of pulling the canoe toward it. Its hard to get a vertical plant on a cross stroke.

Thats why you seldom see river runners use bents and you always see marathon racers use bents.

Its all about where you are paddling and your stance in the boat.

I see people with them backwards ALL THE TIME!!

When used the right way bent shaft paddles dig in to the water sooo much better than straight. I think that's because the scoop shape gives you a "dig" advantage from the very beginning of your stroke - it helps you pull way more water as you bring it back toward yourself- kind of like using a shovel in the snow instead of an ice scraper or like eating cereal with a spoon instead of a knife. It just makes sense.

I'll never go back!

yellowcanoe: "Bents give a better exit angle for the seated paddler. Straights for the kneeling paddler. You want to avoid lifting water.
That said straights are more versatile and allow inwater recovery with a palm roll. Something bents are not designed for especially with a dedicated one way grip.
No you cant quite do everything with a bent that you can with a straight. Try a cross draw with a bent. Betcha you wind up pushing down water instead of pulling the canoe toward it. Its hard to get a vertical plant on a cross stroke.
Thats why you seldom see river runners use bents and you always see marathon racers use bents.
Its all about where you are paddling and your stance in the boat."

Weeeeell, different strokes........ As for me, my cross stroke is actually better with the bent than the straight? Maybe I'm "Odd?" Only reason I switch to straight on the river is when I need to get more power and the blade is a lot larger. Of course I do nothing more than some Class I with the rare Class II riffle.

Frenchy19: "I use a bent shaft exclusively in my solo and tandem. That said, I got a yak paddle for the solo at Copia, and I am excited to try it out this season.


I am also seriously considering a straight shaft from XY paddles as I will be in Atikokan a couple times this summer. Their work is beautiful...


XY Paddles "

I got a chance to handle a bent shaft XY paddle at a portage going into Knife Lake last year. I really liked it. I also own an XY ottertail that I got on Ebay several years back. It was a unfinished paddle that I finsihed (varnished and rockguard). It's got a cupped blade which is a bit odd for an ottertail. It's also a bit on the heavy side.

ozarkpaddler: "

yellowcanoe: "Bents give a better exit angle for the seated paddler. Straights for the kneeling paddler. You want to avoid lifting water.
That said straights are more versatile and allow inwater recovery with a palm roll. Something bents are not designed for especially with a dedicated one way grip.
No you cant quite do everything with a bent that you can with a straight. Try a cross draw with a bent. Betcha you wind up pushing down water instead of pulling the canoe toward it. Its hard to get a vertical plant on a cross stroke.
Thats why you seldom see river runners use bents and you always see marathon racers use bents.
Its all about where you are paddling and your stance in the boat."

Weeeeell, different strokes........ As for me, my cross stroke is actually better with the bent than the straight? Maybe I'm "Odd?" Only reason I switch to straight on the river is when I need to get more power and the blade is a lot larger. Of course I do nothing more than some Class I with the rare Class II riffle."

Dont compare apples and oranges. We have to take two paddles with the same area.. The problem with bents is that you have to extend the top hand way out to get the paddle vertical and still away from the boat. this requires loong arms.. You may have those

yellowcanoe: "

ozarkpaddler: "

yellowcanoe: "Bents give a better exit angle for the seated paddler. Straights for the kneeling paddler. You want to avoid lifting water.
That said straights are more versatile and allow inwater recovery with a palm roll. Something bents are not designed for especially with a dedicated one way grip.
No you cant quite do everything with a bent that you can with a straight. Try a cross draw with a bent. Betcha you wind up pushing down water instead of pulling the canoe toward it. Its hard to get a vertical plant on a cross stroke.
Thats why you seldom see river runners use bents and you always see marathon racers use bents.
Its all about where you are paddling and your stance in the boat."

Weeeeell, different strokes........ As for me, my cross stroke is actually better with the bent than the straight? Maybe I'm "Odd?" Only reason I switch to straight on the river is when I need to get more power and the blade is a lot larger. Of course I do nothing more than some Class I with the rare Class II riffle."

Dont compare apples and oranges. We have to take two paddles with the same area.. The problem with bents is that you have to extend the top hand way out to get the paddle vertical and still away from the boat. this requires loong arms.. You may have those"

But the bent shaft paddle is shorter and easier even if my arms were short. I don't understand your argument, but, that's ok. I PERSONALLY can do anything, with a bent I can do with a straight. And I am not an "Exceptional" paddler like you, pblanc, etc are. Have a great weekend!

Love my bent shaft in the bow.

If you get a chance I would suggest trying a bent shaft before buying, especially solo. I hate solo canoeing with a bent shaft paddle. I know people said they can J stroke with one, but I can't. The only time I ever use a bent shaft paddle is in the bow.

yellowcanoe: "

ozarkpaddler: "

yellowcanoe: "Bents give a better exit angle for the seated paddler. Straights for the kneeling paddler. You want to avoid lifting water.
That said straights are more versatile and allow inwater recovery with a palm roll. Something bents are not designed for especially with a dedicated one way grip.
No you cant quite do everything with a bent that you can with a straight. Try a cross draw with a bent. Betcha you wind up pushing down water instead of pulling the canoe toward it. Its hard to get a vertical plant on a cross stroke.
Thats why you seldom see river runners use bents and you always see marathon racers use bents.
Its all about where you are paddling and your stance in the boat."

Weeeeell, different strokes........ As for me, my cross stroke is actually better with the bent than the straight? Maybe I'm "Odd?" Only reason I switch to straight on the river is when I need to get more power and the blade is a lot larger. Of course I do nothing more than some Class I with the rare Class II riffle."

Dont compare apples and oranges. We have to take two paddles with the same area.. The problem with bents is that you have to extend the top hand way out to get the paddle vertical and still away from the boat. this requires loong arms.. You may have those"

Your top hand has to be outside the canoe the same amount for the shaft to be vertical with any paddle.

I agree with Nooneuno.

As far as bent or straight. I have been using a bent in the stern for years. It is harder to use as a rudder than a straight, but I seldom use a straight. I do carry a straight with a large blade as a backup. It works great for cleaning fish.

Bent-shaft all the way.

Once I experienced the difference, it was over. The ability to powerfully 'pull' the water those last few inches of the stroke make me a much faster paddler. The body mechanics of having the paddle close to your hip while pulling allow a very strong and LONG follow-through. Maybe it's my body habitus, but bent seems the superior design.
Seated, hit/switch style is my preferred.
If I'm sneaking along in stealth mode (duck hunting), J-stroking is no problem with a bent shaft.

....but it's all about preference. Don't let anyone tell YOU what to enjoy.

i purchased a pair of bending branch paddles (2 different lengths) from the burger brothers store in bloomington for $69 each , this was around 1994 ?
i love them and they're lighter also.

I'd take a 12oz. straight over a 22oz. bent.

I personally think, all else being equal, for most people (me included) the efficiency difference is negligible. I don't notice a big difference between the two.

Where I do notice a big difference is going from a heavy straight to a lightweight bent. Or switching from a long straight to a short bent. I think weight and length are where the real efficiency gains come in.

Alan

I prefer to paddle with a straight except when I want to make time than a bent will do the trick better.
Some paddle placements and freestyle orientated maneuvers are best done with a straight. But for Boundary Water paddling the bent shaft paddle there are definite advantages in using a light bent shaft paddle.
For me learning how to use the paddle in many different styles with proper body mechanics has lead to more efficiency and pleasure than just buying a new-better paddle. But I do like a excellent paddle or two.
Pick the paddle that will make you want to be paddling more often.

You have a point, Alan. For many of us, the lighter paddle is our bent. I keep using my old, moderate weight wood straight because I like it and have it. I do wonder what it would be like if I replaced it with a carbon fiber straight. However, I wouldn't set up a completely apples to apples comparison. I think I want the straight to have a larger blade just for the variety of a different feel and stroke rate.

In the kayaking world, an important choice is between regular paddles and wing paddles. It turns out the efficiency difference is about 2% to 3% which is unimportant for most recreational paddlers out for a nice day but critical for racers. We don't have wings for single blade canoe paddles because you would need a different paddle for each side of the canoe.