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SoilDave
member (11)member
  
07/23/2016 06:11PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Never thought twice about needing an extra paddle but I guess
I'm getting old and worry about such things. I have 40 year old
Old town paddle that I love to death. I think it is Basswood very
light. Makes wonder what if breaks? Do people carry spares? We
Are going in next week as a tandem, do we need to pack a spare?
Never have before.
 
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Mashuga
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07/23/2016 06:25PM  
Some trips I've taken an extra paddle and some I didn't. For the first 8 or 10 trips we never needed one so I quit taking it. We have broken a paddle on 2 trips since then, both times we had no extra. Duct tape got us through the trip but was not ideal. I'm a slow learner but now I always take an extra.
 
yellowcanoe
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07/23/2016 06:40PM  
The short answer is yes.

More likely than breakage is dropping a paddle or having it jam under your boat. Dropping your grip hand will save the day but if you forget how to do that dropping the paddle is the only option to avoid counting fish.

You can paddle with a stick but if you are out in the middle of the lake sticks wont come easily to you.
 
07/23/2016 06:42PM  
I take a spare and lash it in the canoe. People have lost them as well as broken them, and it seems wise not to be in the middle of the BW without a paddle.
 
mastertangler
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07/23/2016 07:09PM  
Of course you have an extra paddle!

Do we not have an extra dog? Extra ice cream bars in the freezer? Extra lawn mower? You never know what a day brings!
 
OldFingers57
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07/23/2016 07:53PM  
Yes I always bring an extra paddle along with on trips, unless it is just a day trip. I have a metal/plastic one that I bring.
 
andym
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07/23/2016 08:23PM  
We don't bring a spare paddle. We each bring two paddles: a carbon fiber bent and a wood straight. Each has its purpose. The bents are great for powering across a lake into a headwind. The straights are great for narrow streams and rocky shallows. Either would be fine for everything if the other broke. But this way, instead of thinking about carrying the weight of a spare that we probably won't need, we carry things we use a lot and give us joy. And the weight of the two carbon fiber bents is less than the metal and plastic spare we used to carry.

So, rather than a spare, consider what sort of paddle would be a fun addition to your paddling.

But if money is an issue then those metal/plastic paddles work fine for a very low price.
 
07/23/2016 08:39PM  
Yes...always a spare. On solos, I lash a spare under the side of the seat. When I take my family of 5 trips, the spare paddle is in the hands of the paddler in the 3 seat canoe.
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
07/23/2016 10:17PM  
We bring one spare paddle for the group.
 
07/23/2016 11:52PM  
quote Jackfish: "We bring one spare paddle for the group. "

Same here.
 
SaganagaJoe
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07/24/2016 12:44AM  
Always have one extra paddle. People have a tendency of dropping them while fishing. (I love you Grandpa!)
 
mutz
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07/24/2016 06:34AM  
Yes
 
07/24/2016 08:22AM  
quote andym: "We don't bring a spare paddle. We each bring two paddles: a carbon fiber bent and a wood straight. Each has its purpose. The bents are great for powering across a lake into a headwind. The straights are great for narrow streams and rocky shallows. Either would be fine for everything if the other broke. But this way, instead of thinking about carrying the weight of a spare that we probably won't need, we carry things we use a lot and give us joy. And the weight of the two carbon fiber bents is less than the metal and plastic spare we used to carry.


So, rather than a spare, consider what sort of paddle would be a fun addition to your paddling.

But if money is an issue then those metal/plastic paddles work fine for a very low price. "


Same reasoning for me. I keep more than one wrench in the toolbox. Paddles equate to tools in the canoe.

butthead
 
Savage Voyageur
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07/24/2016 08:31AM  
We have an extra paddle along most trips, and hardly ever use it. But take a trip without an extra a this is a garrentee you will break a paddle and need it.
 
07/24/2016 10:00AM  
I always bring a spare since I broke the blade of one at the initial put in about 10 years ago when I (carelessly and stupidly) tossed a nalgene bottle into the canoe. Duct tape saved the day, but since then, I take a spare.

I like andym's reasoning...now I have a legitimate reason to buy another paddle;-)
 
Obe
member (22)member
  
07/24/2016 10:33AM  
I've never been on an extended flatwater trip, as we are usually on rivers for short day trips or maybe a weekend trip. I always have an extra paddle with the canoe. Even for two hour slow moving river trips I have an extra. You never know what can happen, and even if a paddle doesn't break, someone could get one pinned and drop it. I'd rather deal with packing an extra than literally be up the creek without a paddle.
 
mapsguy1955
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07/24/2016 10:38AM  
It's a whole lot easier to bring a spare than to get out without a working one.
 
07/24/2016 10:51AM  
No: We take care with ours and travel less miles than we used too. In a pinch, duct tape or build one at camp for use. I can slowly solo the 2 of us out in extreme case. Hope that never happens.
 
billconner
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07/24/2016 10:52AM  
Always bring a spare. Had a brand new paddle split 50 yards out in Inlet Bay after tow to PP.
 
AdamXChicago
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07/24/2016 12:00PM  
We always bring a spare. It's a necessity IMHO
 
07/24/2016 12:22PM  
quote boonie: "I take a spare and lash it in the canoe. People have lost them as well as broken them, and it seems wise not to be in the middle of the BW without a paddle."


Same here. Extra is usually a lighter weight paddle lashed in the canoe also.
 
Grizzlyman
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07/24/2016 12:56PM  
Just like you always get a flat in a storm or your computer always goes down in a business meeting- your paddle can break when you need it most.

I broke one fighting a serious headwind in some serious waves- snapped The shaft. Had I not had a spare... Well who knows but it wouldn't have been good... And I wouldnt have had time to duct tape it on the spot.
 
07/24/2016 09:28PM  
I have two Bending Branches paddles, one bent and one beavertail. They both come along with our group of 5-7 every year.
 
07/25/2016 02:47AM  
Always bring a spare. Minimum weight/trouble to carry and maximum benefit if needed.
 
07/25/2016 02:53AM  
Yes, we bring a spare. Don't want to find yourself "up the creek".
 
andym
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07/25/2016 03:05PM  
quote Frenchy19:
I like andym's reasoning...now I have a legitimate reason to buy another paddle;-)"


Happy to help out.
 
Frenchy
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07/26/2016 02:08AM  
I always bring a spare. In mixed company, it becomes the outhouse door.
 
SoilDave
member (11)member
  
07/26/2016 03:54AM  
I'm convinced. I have 4 Canoes so having extra paddles was never an issue. Never knew they broke so often. Had a few dropped in the river but always chased them down. Thanks all!
 
clearh2o
member (31)member
  
07/26/2016 06:39AM  
A bit late to this discussion but would like to add that I am in the "always-carry-a-spare" group [an "eleventh" essential if you will for paddle trips] and would offer that the spare we carry is a 54-inch straight shaft. For my family and paddling partners, the "54" seems to be a good compromise in terms of paddler fit, paddler location, and "stowability" for the boats we use, even now that we have switched mostly to using bent-shaft paddles for lake trips.
 
mastertangler
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07/26/2016 06:53AM  
My bent shaft Zav was always blowing off my gunnels after setting it down to make a cast. I always managed to catch it, often in mid air, but it was annoying and often ended with a nice loud "bang" against the canoe. A decided no-no.

My "spare" is a BB expedition plus....straight shaft paddle which lays across my gunnel and behaves. "Stay" (just like training dogs ;-)
 
ozarkpaddler
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07/27/2016 09:45AM  
quote SoilDave: "Never knew they broke so often. Had a few dropped in the river but always chased them down. Thanks all!"


They don't, it's just that it's so darn inconvenient when they DO break or get lost. First few years paddling I never took an extra. Broke a paddle on the Eleven Point River and I had to do all the paddling myself that day, worrying "What if" the other paddle breaks? From then on, I've ALWAYS had a spare.

Heck, just a couple years ago on a 3 day winter trip I broke a paddle in less than a mile. So, I had to use my heavier paddle all 3 days. I was wishing I'd brought a 3rd that trip! I've only broke a paddle a few times paddling and lost one once. But, with the exception of the time I broke one about 50 yards from the takeout, it's always been a bad time to lose one.
 
Old Hoosier
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07/27/2016 10:52AM  
Not having an extra paddle is bordering irresponsibility IMHO. Almost like not taking repair kit for an air mattress or only taking 5 matches for a 5 day trip. Sure - you can risk it - but WHY??? Would you start driving to your BW or Q trip without a spare tire?

Paddles are always subject to failure - any time and any place. The issues is - what is your circumstance and what risks are imposed at the time of failure? Deep in wilderness is not a good place to be without a good paddle. An inconvenience to be sure, and if you are not too handy at innovating a new paddle maybe much more than inconvenience. Add high winds and you are in the middle of a lake - maybe life threatening. On a solo - not good news.

Failures are rarely "random" but often at the hands of poor judgment. Kids can drop or lose them, but usually don't break them as they are not strong enough to do so. Sometime step on them - oops! But a kid who cannot paddle is almost as good (bad) as one who is paddling. Adults are dangerous with paddles as they have much more strength but sometimes do foolish things like pry on rocks, try to push the canoe off or also step on them. And make the paddle a carbon model and risk of breakage goes way higher in the hands of a novice. Losing an adult paddle means half-speed and twice the work for the remaining paddler.

Be thoughtful and considerate and take a spare. You might be the only one left paddling!

Old Hoosier
 
07/27/2016 09:59PM  
At the very least, at least one extra per group. I always bring an extra for myself. Generally it is a bent and a straight shaft. One extra is cheap insurance. The quality/type is less important than just having one.
 
07/27/2016 10:44PM  
Yes we do. It is an older straight paddle that we have marked in inches to measure those monster fish!
 
08/03/2016 09:28AM  
I bring a spare paddle even when going for a couple of hours close to home. One is bent shaft, the other is straight. I enjoy switching between them. I tend to use the straight shaft for launching/landing and winding rivers. The bent shift gets used more on lakes.
 
08/03/2016 07:39PM  
hmmm....no... but now i'm feeling the pressure. i bet there is a telescoping paddle that can be store inside a pack pretty easily.
 
08/04/2016 07:38AM  
Always bring a spare. In the past I've used a Zav Ultra-Light bent, wife's used a BB Sunburst straight, and my old Sunburst had been the spare. At 'copia this year I grabbed a Badger Sliver. Looking forward to using it, so I suspect we'll just rotate through them all next month.
 
08/04/2016 11:44AM  
Solo paddling YES!!! Mainly if your paddle decides to leave your hand. Rare yes, but if it happens then what?
 
andym
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08/04/2016 03:05PM  
quote Mocha: "hmmm....no... but now i'm feeling the pressure. i bet there is a telescoping paddle that can be store inside a pack pretty easily."


There is a telescoping paddle but it doesn't get very long. I suspect it would be a pain to use.

There is also a line called duck paddles that have a flexible blade and one of them is designed to be stowed as a spare. It is on the pricey side.

But a paddle that is stowed in a pack and needs to be extended or assembled will take a bit of time before it is ready.
 
JackpineJim
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08/04/2016 08:25PM  
I believe in having a spare paddle at the ready in every canoe. had one break in big waves on North Bay once and was up shit creek for a few seconds but did have a paddle ;)
 
jrlatt
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08/04/2016 11:14PM  
+1 on one for the group.
 
08/06/2016 01:09AM  
i've never done a solo but if i did i would always carry some type of spare. in a group no, we'll make 1 if need. might be crude but willget the job done. inspect all your gear before a trip.
 
08/07/2016 01:34PM  
quote boonie: "I take a spare and lash it in the canoe. People have lost them as well as broken them, and it seems wise not to be in the middle of the BW without a paddle."


Yup. Max of three total paddles per boat though. Only must have 2 working paddles in a canoe. I often seem to have 3-4-5 people (kids + me) in my long boat, but still only bring 3 paddles for it. Other people duff, and if we break one paddle, we have one more duffer.

Met a group who had broken one paddle on the upstream side of basswood falls. Ummmm, needless to say, their story freaked me out and I've been diligent ever since. They did not end up over the falls and they showed me their field-repaired paddle which was a decent job done in camp.

When paddling solo, I do as boonie does and lash a paddle inside. Luckily, I never needed it.
 
jhb8426
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08/07/2016 07:00PM  
Yep, always carry one, so to speak. I normally take a bent and a straight as someone here mentioned. Normally use either depending on conditions. so I always have a spare. Would you drive your car w/o a spare??
 
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