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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Double blade paddle length |
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03/07/2022 05:22PM
Not looking to start a conversation on the merits of double bladed vs single blade paddling but would like help selecting the correct length double bladed paddle. I paddle a Northwind Solo from the seated position and am 5’6” tall. Thanks!
03/07/2022 07:12PM
It will depend on your paddling style. If your upper hand comes above your eye, then you will go shorter than what most people will be recommending to you. If your upper hand stays below your eye, go for the longer length most people will recommend. The lower hand seems to be the more common style.
I use a 210 or 220 because I bring my hand up high, probably due to all my whitewater kayak training. I am 5'7".
I use a 210 or 220 because I bring my hand up high, probably due to all my whitewater kayak training. I am 5'7".
03/07/2022 07:16PM
Hi Taco,
Interesting notes from SHC! I never whitewater kayaked so I have no historical technique like she does.
Last paddling season, I purchased a bending branches slice hybrid with telescoping ferrule. Carbon shaft and fiberglass blades. 30oz. It telescopes to 240 cm and I never use it less than that in my canoe. I do telescope it way down in my kayak, which is 24” across.
I’m 5’3” - 5"4". I paddle a Northstar trillium so about two inches less width than your canoe.
Zero kickback here about double or single. I take both, love both. But in wind and wide crossings, I’m grateful Boonie talked me into a double blade.
Maybe he’ll chime in here with some thoughts.
Interesting notes from SHC! I never whitewater kayaked so I have no historical technique like she does.
Last paddling season, I purchased a bending branches slice hybrid with telescoping ferrule. Carbon shaft and fiberglass blades. 30oz. It telescopes to 240 cm and I never use it less than that in my canoe. I do telescope it way down in my kayak, which is 24” across.
I’m 5’3” - 5"4". I paddle a Northstar trillium so about two inches less width than your canoe.
Zero kickback here about double or single. I take both, love both. But in wind and wide crossings, I’m grateful Boonie talked me into a double blade.
Maybe he’ll chime in here with some thoughts.
03/07/2022 07:43PM
Yeah, depends on your stroke angle. I tend to be a higher angle paddler and don't need quite the length as "recommended" but if my shoulder is giving me issues I go a lot lower angle to reduce the strain and at times wish I had a bit more length
03/07/2022 10:08PM
TacoOverland: "Not looking to start a conversation on the merits of double bladed vs single blade paddling but would like help selecting the correct length double bladed paddle. I paddle a Northwind Solo from the seated position and am 5’6” tall. Thanks!"
Based on my research and 7 years of solo paddling a Northwind solo, 260 cm.
03/07/2022 11:29PM
I am your height and paddle a Swift Prospector 14 which is slightly wider than your boat. I use a Werner Camano 240 Carbon. I have used a 250 and felt it was too long. Actually the size chart for Werner suggest a 230 for you but I feel like that would be too short.
Werner Camano
Werner Camano
Just a guy and his dog. My YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuOcIgt_VJIRfkZES0GJLQ
03/08/2022 07:08AM
I am 5‘10“ and paddle a Magic. I use a 250 cm Aqua Bound Stingray carbon straight shaft double blade paddle. It works great and I get virtually no drips in the boat. In deciding on the length of the paddle for the Magic, I was able to take my much shorter traditional double blade kayak paddle (that I use with my kayak) and inserted a wooden dowel between the two shaft pieces. This allowed me to adjust the length in order to determine which paddle length would be right for me. Ideally, I may have gone with A 255 cm paddle but that would have been a custom build and much more expensive. I found it very helpful to be able to test various lengths and was surprised at how much difference the length of the paddle made.
WaveRunner
03/09/2022 05:30AM
As a long time sea and whitewater kayaker, your height doesn’t have the biggest role in your paddle length as we might’ve thought. We’re all relatively close when we sit next to each other. Look at your boat width and how you’re going to paddle, high angle or low angle. Also, take a look at some kayak fishing paddles, they’re usually adjustable in length by a few centimeters. I know that Aquabound/Bending Branches did that at some point. Solo canoes aren’t typically wide, but go longer with a low angle blade and shorter with a high angle blade. My sea kayak paddle is a 220, and the boat is 21” wide for example and if it matters, I’m 5’8”
03/09/2022 11:44AM
Erk: "As a long time sea and whitewater kayaker, your height doesn’t have the biggest role in your paddle length as we might’ve thought. We’re all relatively close when we sit next to each other. Look at your boat width and how you’re going to paddle, high angle or low angle. Also, take a look at some kayak fishing paddles, they’re usually adjustable in length by a few centimeters. I know that Aquabound/Bending Branches did that at some point. Solo canoes aren’t typically wide, but go longer with a low angle blade and shorter with a high angle blade. My sea kayak paddle is a 220, and the boat is 21” wide for example and if it matters, I’m 5’8” "
I actually ended up going with a Bending Branches Angler Pro Plus 240-255cm. I’m looking forward to getting it wet!
03/09/2022 03:22PM
TacoOverland: "Erk: "As a long time sea and whitewater kayaker, your height doesn’t have the biggest role in your paddle length as we might’ve thought. We’re all relatively close when we sit next to each other. Look at your boat width and how you’re going to paddle, high angle or low angle. Also, take a look at some kayak fishing paddles, they’re usually adjustable in length by a few centimeters. I know that Aquabound/Bending Branches did that at some point. Solo canoes aren’t typically wide, but go longer with a low angle blade and shorter with a high angle blade. My sea kayak paddle is a 220, and the boat is 21” wide for example and if it matters, I’m 5’8” "
I actually ended up going with a Bending Branches Angler Pro Plus 240-255cm. I’m looking forward to getting it wet!"
That looks like a decent paddle for sure. I think you'll be happy with it.
Just a guy and his dog. My YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuOcIgt_VJIRfkZES0GJLQ
03/17/2022 05:22PM
I have a solo prism and have used a double paddle for years. I am 5 foot 8. I have been using a 240 paddle all along but felt like it was a little short. Last week at Canoecopia, I splurged on a 260 bending branches carbon pro angler. I've got high hopes. My strongest advice is going with the lightest paddle you can afford. It makes a difference.
There are no strangers here, only friends who haven't yet met!
03/28/2022 11:34AM
I paddle a Magic and use a Bending Branches Navigator - 260cm - which is a custom length they made for me. Great paddle; wood blades flex ever so slightly and help noticeably vs. stiffer carbon blades IMO.
Is it proper that the wilderness and its creatures should suffer because we came? RP
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