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Author	Message Text
Frenchy19	03/10/2018 04:55PM   Okay, now I need to flip flop. Just bought a carbon Werner Cyprus 260 paddle. At 23 ounces, I am looking forward to playing with this come my June solo.
Banksiana	03/10/2018 05:15PM   A double blade is faster if your cadence with a double blade is faster. A single bent shaft (when seated) is more efficient. If you paddle at the same cadence with each type of paddle the bent will move you faster (providing wetted surface areas are equivalent). When used properly a greater proportion of the energy expended in the stroke of a bent shaft is used to move you forward- because the double bladed paddle stroke is farther from the center of the boat a greater portion of the energy of each stroke moves the bow away from the side of the stroke than in a bent. This side to side motion (yaw) is an inevitable function of the blade being a greater distance from the center line of the boat
outdoor addict	03/07/2018 02:36PM   I went once with a canoe paddle and I thought it worked well. I am curious if a kayak paddle would be better in any way.
KarlBAndersen1	03/07/2018 03:32PM   Sometimes against the wind or in a hurry for getting across a large lake - a 'yak paddle is hard to beat. Take one of each. Narrow creeks may hinder double blade usage.
ozarkpaddler	03/07/2018 04:22PM   Different strokes for different folks, 'eh? Even when I paddled a decked canoe and a kayak, I preferred a single blade. My wife, she started with single blade and changed to a double blade. She carries a single only for emergencies, but she almost never uses a single blade. Try both, see which you prefer. I just happen to prefer single.
Savage Voyageur	03/07/2018 04:53PM   I have used both but I personally prefer the Yak paddle in a solo canoe. I would take both. If on a windy lake you will be paddling on the same side and will want a single. If on a calm Lake you can out paddle a tandem canoe with a Yak paddle.
HansSolo	03/07/2018 06:44PM   boonie: "Both - need a spare anyway and both have different uses. It's nice to switch and use different stroke and muscles sometimes. Strap the spare to the thwarts. " Well said boonie! I paddle both solo canoes and kayaks and own both. For many years I fought the temptation of using a kayak paddle in a solo canoe. I was somewhat of a purist and felt that single-bladed canoe paddles are for canoes and double-bladed kayak paddles are for kayaks. After a 2012 Quetico solo trip, I decided that using a kayak paddle on the big, long lakes of Quetico, the BWCAW, Woodland-Caribou, etc. would be more efficiently traveled using a kayak paddle. There's nothing like getting in a rhythm and paddling down the length of Quetico Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Pickerel Lake, Knife Lake, Saganaga Lake, etc. with a nice lightweight kayak paddle. This is especially true if you want to keep pace when your traveling with a group of other solo canoeists that are using kayak paddles. I still prefer a bent shaft canoe paddle for the smaller lakes and for river navigation, but to each their own. Hans Solo
FOG51	03/09/2018 01:23AM   I started useing a yak paddle about 3-4 years ago with my solo, 260 cm BB slice. On my 21 day solo up in Ontario last fall I found my shoulders simply would not take it. Per my GPS I could cruise at least 1 full MPH faster with the yak paddle. Used my straight wood paddle for the rest of the trip without regrets, Hey I decided my paddleing style is a lot like me," built for comfort not speed". Did not like the yak paddle for fishing, continually in my way. One of our departed members used to say that "useing a yak paddle in a solo was an excuse for not learning proper canoe paddleing". FRED
AmarilloJim	03/09/2018 07:24AM   I take a 280 yak paddle and a regular paddle. Find myself using the yak more and more for just about everything. Still prefer the single paddle for slow trolling on a calm day, nostalgic!
johnhh	03/09/2018 09:28AM   I use both single and double blade. The double blade is simply more efficient and when kneeling, better body dynamics. Of course, kneeling is better body dynamics all by itself, single or double blade. I have tried to be a purist and only use a single blade. But the double blade just works so much better for lake paddling. And don't worry about that 'wind against the blade' argument, its a non-issue. For lakes use the double blade. For small rivers/creeks or fishing, use the single blade. The only issue I have with a double-blade is you get more drips into the boat even using the cups. I use a 260 and should probably use a 280 to avoid the drips. But who makes a graphite/glass 280 double-blade that is not crazy expensive? I need to get Dan Cooke to make me a little shorty skirt for up front to catch the drips...
bhouse46	03/17/2018 06:43AM   Personal choice and experience are at the heart of this. I began paddling canoes in the 1970's and got very proficient with the single blade. I had a period of no paddling and got a kayak in the mid 90"s as I had no one to go with and did not know about solo canoes. I got proficient with the double blade and when I picked up a solo canoe going back to the single blade just did not work. I carry both when I trip as each has its benefits and I am getting comfortable with the single blade again, but still prefer the double. I use a 240 Werner Corryvrecken. Huge blades and shorter shaft means I work hard and will get wet, but I love the torque that paddle can give me. Most would not like it, again choice.
mr.barley	03/17/2018 08:09AM   I have a 260cm BB Slice laying around, but I rarely use it. Maybe if I were to be traveling in my solo with a couple guys in a tandem I'd probably bring it for travel. I prefer paddling with a bent shaft.
mjmkjun	03/17/2018 07:30AM   I am a fan of a double blade and familiar with some strokes of a single blade. Doubles are a great help to my aging back--> Footbrace + dbI. blade gives me a definite edge on choppy waters/balance/bursts of speed. I use an adjustable length Cannon 2-piece. 250-260 cm for the Prism. Shorter adjust for other yaks & canoes in my 'collection'. Pack a single paddle for tight & narrow spots. I store the single blade strapped to glued-in D rings on the upper left side of canoe. Don't ever need to remove it on portages.
bwcasolo	03/18/2018 05:48AM   TomT: "boonie: "Both - need a spare anyway and both have different uses. It's nice to switch and use different stroke and muscles sometimes. Strap the spare to the thwarts. " I usually travel with the double but fish with the single. I bring them both. If you get a double make sure it's long enough. I'm 6 ft. and use a 260 cm. " tom did you try the 280cm? are the drips minimal with the 260? what is your yak paddle? thanks.
yellowcanoe	03/13/2018 06:47AM   Both, But on this last trip entirely on the Gulf of Mexico I never picked up the single. The wind was up every day and with the short steep chop and motorboat wakes ( waves 2 feet; not quite head high) I preferred the instant brace a double allows. It was tidal too with a 2 mph current.. Seems always to be against us. Yet we did 16 miles in 5 hours. Each in a solo. Try and see what you like. I vastly prefer the single and the rhythm and the versatility of the single but on the ocean it seems not to have so much of a role. Of course if it were calm things would have been different If you sit high a 240 may be too short.. I am short torsoed and the 240 is perfect for me.
jdevries	03/13/2018 02:52PM   Yak all they way. Mine breaks down just off center and I have a handle insert. Makes it easier to portage plus I can use it as a paddle when nearing portages or just tooling around while fishing. JD
butthead	03/13/2018 03:09PM   Banksiana: "A double blade is faster if your cadence with a double blade is faster. A single bent shaft (when seated) is more efficient. If you paddle at the same cadence with each type of paddle the bent will move you faster (providing wetted surface areas are equivalent). When used properly a greater proportion of the energy expended in the stroke of a bent shaft is used to move you forward- because the double bladed paddle stroke is farther from the center of the boat a greater portion of the energy of each stroke moves the bow away from the side of the stroke than in a bent. This side to side motion (yaw) is an inevitable function of the blade being a greater distance from the center line of the boat" What he said! And besides tried an evil double and hated it, then again, it's a personal choice. butthead
jcavenagh	03/13/2018 03:00PM   I prefer the double blade paddle when solo. I just can't get the hang of the Canadian stroke.
cowdoc	03/13/2018 05:23PM   butthead: "Banksiana: "A double blade is faster if your cadence with a double blade is faster. A single bent shaft (when seated) is more efficient. If you paddle at the same cadence with each type of paddle the bent will move you faster (providing wetted surface areas are equivalent). When used properly a greater proportion of the energy expended in the stroke of a bent shaft is used to move you forward- because the double bladed paddle stroke is farther from the center of the boat a greater portion of the energy of each stroke moves the bow away from the side of the stroke than in a bent. This side to side motion (yaw) is an inevitable function of the blade being a greater distance from the center line of the boat" What he said! And besides tried an evil double and hated it, then again, it's a personal choice. butthead" +1.....no yak paddles in my canoe. 50% on what Banks said, 25% stubborn purist and I don't like them, 25% I'm a strong paddler.
jdmccurry	03/16/2018 11:40AM   Here's another consideration for using a double. When I am with my dog (60 lb goldendoodle) , she has a tendency to make unexpected movements. When this happens, it nice to quickly brace on either side with the double.
boonie	03/18/2018 08:19AM   bwcasolo- My experience: I have used one of the really long double blades once on a rental. You can minimize water in the boat with it, but the disadvantages are that you have a lot of paddle and the more horizontal stroke acts more like a sweep stroke than a forward stroke. It moves the canoe more back and forth vs. powering it forward; on a calm day it's not as much of a problem with a slow easy cadence, but is more problematic on a windy day. Of course, you have a lot more paddling to hold up and swing against the wind. It wasn't for me, but YMMV. I'd give one a try before spending a lot on a purchase.
bhouse46	03/18/2018 09:35AM   Greenland paddles are long and have narrow blades, but require a style of paddling requiring short rapid stokes. I have suspected the longer the shaft the shorter the stroke would have to be to avoid pulling side to side. I ended up with the 240 because the blade fits well into the water without the drip cup joining when I sit in the seat of my Magic. I mostly high angle paddle anyway. I think about paddles like I think about shoes. Not every shoe is right for any one situation nor all users. If it fits and works well comfortably for you it is right for you. Do try on a few before you spend money.
Flashback	03/18/2018 10:44AM   Only paddle canoes; only use canoe paddles, only paddle rivers. Always carry 2 canoe paddles; one is nearly always a "beater" that I change over to if/when the river shallows out. Never failed to get where I was going......... It is my personal opinion that a fairly high % of canoe paddlers using a kayak paddle do so because it's "easier". Often they don't have the necessary paddling skills to use a single blade paddle full time. Bottom line: I don't really give a hoot what paddle anyone uses. If it works for you; go for it! BOB
Wick	03/07/2018 02:46PM   It is easier with kayak paddle to go sraight if you are not as good with a single paddle. I bought my wife one and she could instantly paddle straight down the river instead of bouncing bank to bank. She is a low angle paddler, so it also reduced her water splashing in the canoe. I really do not like to paddle in the same canoe with her,,which is why we have only 1 tandem, and the rest are solos. I find it depends on the canoe a lot for which one i prefer. I bought a couple pack canoes this year that sitting on the bottom would make it harder to paddle with a single paddle. My river canoes, which i am used to, i prefer a single, but my prism i prefer a kayak paddle. The prism is pretty new to me though, and I have not given my bent paddle a real chance yet.
bwcasolo	03/18/2018 01:44PM   boonie: "bwcasolo- My experience: I have used one of the really long double blades once on a rental. You can minimize water in the boat with it, but the disadvantages are that you have a lot of paddle and the more horizontal stroke acts more like a sweep stroke than a forward stroke. It moves the canoe more back and forth vs. powering it forward; on a calm day it's not as much of a problem with a slow easy cadence, but is more problematic on a windy day. Of course, you have a lot more paddling to hold up and swing against the wind. It wasn't for me, but YMMV. I'd give one a try before spending a lot on a purchase. " yea that sounds like something i would not enjoy, being a good bent shaft paddler as i am. thanks for the advice!
Frenchy19	03/07/2018 05:50PM   Canoe.
boonie	03/07/2018 06:10PM   Both - need a spare anyway and both have different uses. It's nice to switch and use different stroke and muscles sometimes. Strap the spare to the thwarts.
nooneuno	03/07/2018 06:27PM   I have found the surface area of the kayak blade is normally smaller than the canoe blade, therefore the kayak paddle seems easier to pull through the water but you don't get as much forward momentum with each stroke...
billconner	03/07/2018 06:48PM   I bought a bending branches Slice at last Canoecopia and took it out in June and never used my canoe paddle. Love loved it. On a previous solo I had a yak paddle from outfitter - tried it once and used my canoe paddle rest of trip. So imho purely a matter of paddles.
TomT	03/07/2018 07:01PM   boonie: "Both - need a spare anyway and both have different uses. It's nice to switch and use different stroke and muscles sometimes. Strap the spare to the thwarts. " I usually travel with the double but fish with the single. I bring them both. If you get a double make sure it's long enough. I'm 6 ft. and use a 260 cm.
Blatz	03/07/2018 07:34PM   I use both. Think of your paddles like golf clubs. Each has a unique purpose.Your Kayak paddle is a good tool for windy big stretches of water. Your single for everything else.
billconner	03/08/2018 09:23AM   billconner: "I bought a bending branches Slice at last Canoecopia and took it out in June and never used my canoe paddle. Love loved it. On a previous solo I had a yak paddle from outfitter - tried it once and used my canoe paddle rest of trip. So imho purely a matter of paddles." I lied. Its a BB "Manta Ray Hybrid", not a Slice, and a close out at last years Canoecopia. 250 cm.
Krien2731	03/08/2018 02:47PM   Did my first solo last year with a new carbon graphite kayak paddle from Canoecopia and my trusty, old Bending Branches bent-shaft cruiser. I thought I would use the canoe paddle more, but on windy days and to make better time the yak paddle was much more efficient. I did find that the yak paddle was a pain to fish with and the canoe paddle was far handier for that activity. You need a spare anyways, so take one of each and see which one you use more often. Happy paddling!
campnfish	03/08/2018 04:27PM   billconner: "I bought a bending branches Slice at last Canoecopia and took it out in June and never used my canoe paddle. Love loved it. On a previous solo I had a yak paddle from outfitter - tried it once and used my canoe paddle rest of trip. So imho purely a matter of paddles." Bill did you buy the telescoping Slice paddle?
bct	03/08/2018 02:52PM   I agree that both have their place, but suggest that if you are taking both, it is a good idea to train with both. I am fortunate enough to have water that is both ice and motor boat free year round. When training for my last solo, I considered taking my double blade as my back up and took it for a morning paddle, though I had not used it in some time. I was hurting the next day, and decided to stick with the single blade.
campnfish	03/08/2018 04:28PM   Nevermind, see you got a different paddle.
RLancer	03/18/2018 08:51PM   I am a fan of the canoe paddle but the few times that I have used kayak paddle I did feel more comfortable with maintaining a straight line. It just feels easier to keep the boat straight. I guess I use the canoe paddle for the nostalgic feel only.