In the process of setting up my Polaris for solo paddling. Gunwale width at seat will be 28-30 inches. I am 6' tall and the "solo" seat with have 4" of drop. Looking for real life guidance on paddle length, kayak paddle versus double cane, and brand (trying to keep the price reasonable). Thank you in advance for your experience.

For a double blade in a canoe, get the longest paddle available. 240cm minimum.

I concur, for that width canoe, at least 240 cm. I have a 230 and a 240. I use the 230 in a narrower canoe than yours. As for brand at a reasonable price, I can't offer any advice. You see I've gotten old, so all my paddles now are light- weight carbon, and expensive. In fact the 240 paddle cost more than my first brand new Old Town Royalex canoe , bought in 1970.

I'm 6 feet tall and use a 280 cm Bending Branches Impression Solo in my Penobscot 17, which is a fair bit wider than your boat. (Migawd, when did the price of this paddle jump so high???) I really, really like the leverage it provides and it has never felt cumbersome to use. I also use it in a 17 foot folding kayak when solo paddling.

I think you'll be most pleased with 240 cm (that's also the length we usually recommended when selling rec kayaks of a similar width). I would second the recommendation here to pick the longer one if you're mulling two sizes:


Review: Double-Bladed Canoe Paddles

I am not a fan of the double but try if out. I preferred the maneuverability and light weight of singe more. Everyone has their favorite.

butthead

Longer is better, 240 should work.
I spent a few years paddling a kayak before getting a solo. I had plenty of canoe experience with single blade, but have not felt as comfortable with a single after double blade paddling. Negatives of a double paddle are cracked knuckles on the gunnel (one reason for the longer paddle) and some issues with high angle paddling vs low angle paddling. If you do high angle you will get water dripping.

Before I purchased my own Polaris, I watched this fella paddle his quite a bit. I sped through all the taking just to see the boat move through the water. I've never had much interest in using a kayak paddle in my canoes so I did not pay attention but, maybe he mentions the size he uses?

Shawn James Woodland Caribou YouTube video

Good Luck

Retiring on a lake last year allowed me the time to double blade my solo and tandems. After 40 + trips North with single blades, I now have a double blade with me when I go out. Game changer, 260 size.

I use both. My double is a 240 and it's great into the wind and when I'm trying to make good time. Maybe it's my skill level, but I can maintain a straight line more easily by just taking a little off of a stroke on one side vs my J-stroke technique with my single blade. I do prefer the single blade when I'm fishing or just exploring a little.

I much prefer the double with my Prism, but so far in the Magic the single blade feels better. I take both on trips- always have a spare paddle!

I first used a yak paddle when I did a 17-day Q solo in my Bell Northwind about 10 years ago(?). Rented it as a spare with my single blade. It was 240-cm and worked well, but tended to get lots of water drip in the canoe. Since then, I've gone to a 280-cm 2-piece carbon yak paddle that I really like with my solo Placid Rapidfire.

I use a 230 cm Werner 2 piece Carbon Fiber Yak paddle when using my 17’7 inch Current Designs Solstice GT Kayak (24.25 inch cockpit width) and well as my 16 ft. Bell Magic (25.5 inch width).

With low to mid angle paddle technique and round yak drip guards … I don’t have any issue with water drip in the canoe.