My first canoe was s Northwind Solo. With that purchase I picked up a Bending Branches Expedition Plus on the recommendation of the canoe salesperson, I started with a 54", then found I had more control with a 56" then I fell down a rabbit hole. I now have a collection of 60-64" solid wood paddles from Ontario that I love to use when paddling solo.

I recently added a tandem canoe to the household. My spouse in inexperienced, as am I with respect to tandem paddling, so I am unsure if my inability to match her cadence is a functon of newness or if I will need to abandon my Fishell and Badger paddles when sharing a canoe.

Do you choose a different paddle for tandem paddling?

I use the same paddle for solo and tandem. If I were to do different styles or types of paddling (whitewater vs flatwater tripping for example), then I would choose differently.

Same old paddle for solo or tandem

No but I may chose a different paddle based on am I on a fishing trip vs a long distance paddle trip.

Main thing is that in a tandem, both paddlers use the same weight paddles to help with cadence timing. If one uses a wood club and the other a carbon rocket, cadence will be hard to match.

Of course, different people use different effort levels and length of strokes. If this is the problem, than you just have to agree on how the two should paddle.

I like a shorter paddle for solo than tandem, primarily because I sit lower in my solo. In my case the difference is 2-3 inches.

BeaV: "...

Main thing is that in a tandem, both paddlers use the same weight paddles to help with cadence timing. If one uses a wood club and the other a carbon rocket, cadence will be hard to match.


... "

This makes sense to me.

Thanks

Same one(s) for me. I do have a kayak paddle that I'll putz around with while solo, but I prefer a traditional one.

Same paddle, same canoe, different position.

I prefer a kayak paddle with my solo, and use a longer paddle than would otherwise be recommended for me.

yes, seat height's are different from my prism, to my b waters tandem, to my mad river tandem. the tandems use the same paddle length. prism a bit shorter, with a seven degree bend. it is a sanborn and a real beaut!

I don't really mind what my partners cadence or the side they paddle. I usually just paddle on the right and adjust my stroke to the wind and/or my partners push or pull.

My last solo I took a bent shaft, otter tail and If there might ever be any trouble I keep a folded kayak paddle in the canoe

I use a 280 cm kayak paddle. It works great. FYI. Most stores longest paddles are around 240 cm. You get a lot of water in the canoe with one that size, no water with a 280.

In solo canoe 80 to 90% of the time I use sit and switch technique an accordingly a short bent shaft paddle.