I have a 7 day BWCA trip coming up on Sept 1st and will be in a 2 person canoe. I have always used a single-bladed paddle but every time I've sat in the front of a canoe in he BWCA, I've wondering if I made a mistake by not bring a double-bladed paddle on the trip.

When you are in the front of a 2 person canoe, do you prefer a single or double bladed paddle? What are the benefits and negatives of each?

I have not used a double in the front, but I have used one in the back. For me the biggest difference was speed. I did prefer a normal paddle at portages for better control. I have been taking both for a number of years now, but I have also switched to a solo. I still like having my bent bending branches but use the double most of the time.

I only use a double when soloing

sconnie84: "I have always used a single-bladed paddle, but every time I've sat in the front of a canoe in he BWCA, I've wondering if I made a mistake by not bring a double-bladed paddle on the trip. "

Different strokes for different folks, so if you really want to use a double-bladed paddle in the bow, do it.

Here is how I look at it is this - if I were to look around and see 99%-100% of people paddling tandem canoes with single-bladed paddles and it's not working for me for whatever reason, instead of thinking about changing to a double-bladed paddle, maybe I should work on improving my single-blade paddle stroke.

Maybe you could explain what it is about using a single-bladed canoe paddle that is a problem for you?

I grew up paddling marathon races in northern Illinois. I had the opportunity to be around some of the best paddlers in the country at that time and have an engineer for a father. It's all about transfer of power, keep your stroke parallel to the center line of the boat and the blade both Perpendicular to surface of the water and the center line of the boat. Developing a good efficient stroke will do more than anything to propel you over the water. Switching back and forth to maintain course rather than dragging and drawing, both slow forward momentum and in a C-2 paddling on opposite sides will keep you tracking straight. There is quite a bit more to technique in regards to using your body to maximize power, and of course having a properly sized paddle.
Paddling often is the best way to be faster, that being said I am going down to the lake with the prism and a canoe paddle.

How does the stern paddler feel about you having a double-blade? How does it impact their ability to keep the canoe on course while still getting forward momentum out of their stroke.

I have never seen a bow paddler use a double-blade. Ever. In fact, I've seen very few stern paddlers using a double-blade paddle in a tandem canoe, though I have seen it. Soloing is a different story, though I use a single blade when I solo, mostly out of tradition.

I'm not sure what you would be trying to gain using a double in the bow. The bow paddler provides power, not maneuverability, and I would think a double paddle would provide a bit less power than a single blade, and an overall loss of efficiency.

There's also the issue of stroke cadence. Many paddlers like to be in unison paddling...meaning the bow and stern pulling each stroke at the same time. While a double blade may allow an extra stroke between the stern paddler's strokes, I doubt it will add much to overall power.

I agree with Jackfish. Maybe focus on maximizing your stroke with a single blade paddle.

Mike

I should have included in my original message... I have a lower back problem. I was once on a trip where I threw my back out and wasn't able to paddle much at all the last two days. My thought with a double bladed paddle is that it would even out the work load on my back muscles and hopefully cause less issues/smaller chance of throwing it out again. I know it would generate less power but we are okay with that if it helps my back.

I appreciate all the feedback on this!

I understand. Back problems are so particular to each person with them, so I can't comment on the specifics of your limitations and if a double-bladed paddle would work better than a single. I've had three back surgeries and a single-blade still works very well for me. That might be because I've been using a single blade for going on 50 years...and it might be because my back isn't sensitive to the use of a single-blade as yours might be.

Take both and see what works.

Mike

I started paddling with a single blade, all we knew about then. I got a touring kayak and became familiar with the double blade still holding my high angle technique from the single blade. Now back canoeing I use a double blade both solo and when aft in a canoe. I tried using the double blade in the fore position but kept hitting the hull with my sweep.
When you add back issues the mix becomes more complex. Lenth of paddle, size and shape of the blade, paddling high or low and POSTURE while paddling are all things to consider. I sought the advice of a trusted physical therapist and in the process of retraining my posture. Back pain is uncommon now.

I love a single blade whether in my solo or in a tandem. It just feels right to me. Do what feels right to you. (But don't let speed be the only determinant of what feels right - unless you want to.)

Single blade

I have had many kayaks including high end sea kayaks. The most efficient stroke is a high angle stroke as it is much easier to do and more power. The problem in a canoe is that due to the shape of the canoe, this stroke is not possible. You have to use a much flatter stroke.

I also have encountered winds and waves many times in the BWCA. If the front paddler that not had a single blade he would have not had the ability to help with the waves and keep us on track in wind and waves.

Solos. . . .totally into a double blade. Like the others have posted, in 15 years of BWCA trips I have never seen a double blade used in a tandem, for good reason.

Take a double bladed paddle as your spare. Experiment with both, and then you'll know what works best for you...