I'm sure this is a question that's been answered before but please indulge me with your help. Last year I purchased a Bell Rockstar which I really like. My question is if anyone uses a double blade paddle with their solo canoes. I'm looking seriously at using one this year for a bit of extra speed on larger lakes. Currently I use a BB bent shaft and a 62" handmade straight paddle. Your pro's and con's will be greatly appreciated.

yep, you will fly with a double bladed paddle. their usefulness is much less if you have any small winding rivers however. most people that bring double blade paddles also bring a single blade as a backup.

I tried a double blade and did not like it-others swear by them-it is obviously a personal preference.

My advice would be try one outside of the BW before you just take one with you. If you find out you like it, then take it along with a single blade for rivers, portage landings, etc.

When I tried the double blade I felt it performed well for straight ahead paddling, but I gave up some control. I also tried everything to keep the water from coming down the shaft and getting me and the canoe wet. Yes I had drip rings and they helped some but did not completely solve that issue.

Seeing I have so many years of single blade experience I feel the control is extremely important to me and I hated losing that with the double blade. If I had more experience with the double blade I might have felt different.

A long time BWCA member benefitted from my decision as I sold him my double blade last year.

I started using a double blade last summer on my annual solo trip in the Q. Worked great for me, especially into a headwind and for long travel days. The single blade was easier to use in tight streams and fishing the shorelines. Best advice is to try the double blade out beforehand. If that's not doable, then bring both a single and double on your trip, with one or the other being the spare.

I have a double blade paddle that i use in my solo when traveling with a tandem canoe. It's easier to keep up with one. Water in the canoe can be a pain. Standard yak paddles are 220-240 cm long. I used to have a 240 cm and I got too much water in my canoe. I sold it and bought a 260 cm and it's much better. I don't get much more water in the canoe than I would switching sides with my single blade paddle.

I use this Bending Branches Solo Canoe Paddle with my solo canoe. It gives you great control and speed on open water. As a back-up paddle I bring a bent-shaft canoe paddle, which I also use in tighter stream/bog areas.
I'm 6'2" and use the 280cm.

Love the double blade... But with the extra push you get there are a few more muscles being used. I paddle a lot before I go. I get some drips from time to time, but that's usually a to short of paddle problem to get a lot of dripping. The 9' yak paddle is what you want for solo canoeing.

I made my own double blader and also a handle that fits into the ferrule. That way I can break it down and use one side of it as a straight shaft single blader. Best of both worlds. I also have a pretty unique drip system that keeps me much dryer than drip rings.

JD

quote jdevries: "I made my own double blader and also a handle that fits into the ferrule. That way I can break it down and use one side of it as a straight shaft single blader. Best of both worlds. I also have a pretty unique drip system that keeps me much dryer than drip rings.

JD"

JD, nice job. I've asked BB if they'd make a handle to go into the ferrule. The guy I talked to said they've received a number of these requests, but their manufacturing end said they couldn't do it because each ferrule pair in individually machined so making a generic handle would never have a good fit. I've toyed with making my own out of a piece of 2x4 - nothing fancy. What's your handle insert crafted like, is it like the male ferrule half you have on your other blade?

I like the double blade for traveling, bent shaft for trolling. The main thing though, is that the double blade is not cool with my felt hat so I only wear that hat around camp and sometimes while trolling. :-))

quote Jeriatric: "I like the double blade for traveling, bent shaft for trolling. The main thing though, is that the double blade is not cool with my felt hat so I only wear that hat around camp and sometimes while trolling. :-))"

Agreed. Fashion is everything. ;-)

ill race a yak paddle user at wing night weekend. i just dont believe its faster.

Great, another thing I have to pack.

bring it.

LoneWolf,

The handle is made out of scraps left over from the canoe and paddle build. I left the end square while I made the grip then drew the outside dimension of the ferule on it and went to work with a couple of hand planes. I tapered it a bit with the wider end near the grip. When I use it I just push it into the ferule until it binds pretty well. Nothing but friction holds it in place.

JD

I use a double that I lengthened. It is not as elegant as the DeVries design, which I really like, especially the anti drip system, but it is light and durable. I can take it apart and use as a single in a pinch but not really a good option. The paddle originally was a 7ft. 7inch and I added a 2foot middle section. It also make a great center pole for my Noah's Tarp with a little modification.

Here is the tarp setup

quote jdevries: " When I use it I just push it into the ferule until it binds pretty well. Nothing but friction holds it in place."

Ah, OK, that's what I was wondering about. Thanks!

quote hiawatha: " The paddle originally was a 7ft. 7inch and I added a 2foot middle section."

How does the paddle work for you in marshes, small creeks with reeds, etc. between lakes?

I'm curious as the lake string I frequent in my yak have small and very weedy/reedy/cat-taily creeks running between them. I find that it can be a pain with the double paddle. I'm curious if you have a technique for getting thru similar areas as I'd lean to assuming that doing it with a 9.5' paddle would be more of a problem. Any tips?

Thanx

quote Winsum45: "

quote hiawatha: " The paddle originally was a 7ft. 7inch and I added a 2foot middle section."

How does the paddle work for you in marshes, small creeks with reeds, etc. between lakes?


I'm curious as the lake string I frequent in my yak have small and very weedy/reedy/cat-taily creeks running between them. I find that it can be a pain with the double paddle. I'm curious if you have a technique for getting thru similar areas as I'd lean to assuming that doing it with a 9.5' paddle would be more of a problem. Any tips?


Thanx"

Solution: switch back to a normal paddle for those types of areas :)

(nice to see someone else with a Pack out there!)

Yep, as mentioned above either switch back to a regular canoe paddle or go with something like JDevries mentions, also above.

I made a small wooden tee handle insert that goes in the open end of the yak paddle, I keep it in a small pocket on my PFD. That way I can have either a 4 ft or 6 ft reg. paddle. The blade on the cheap Carlile paddle are pretty tough, I used this set up in a lot of tight spots.

After reading your posts I've pretty much decided to go with the BB double blade paddel in the 280cm length. I like the idea of being able to move a bit quicker on the lakes and larger rivers. I'll bring my straight paddle along for the narrower areas and for fishing.

quote hiawatha: " I made a small wooden tee ..."

Excellent.

Breaking my paddle down into two pieces is what I do now when the narrows get tight, however, I never considered fabricating a t-handle. Good idea. That's what I was hoping to find ... a new, good idea.

Thanx

Last year at copia, I asked the guy at the BB booth if they made a handle insert for my BB Slice yak paddle. He didn't know and gave me someone else's card. I never called the number and have since lost the business card. You would think they'd send someone who knows something to copia.

I would buy one if they made one.

quote mr.barley: "... I would buy one if they made one."

I'm thinking a used paddle on craigslist and a saw. Might have to work the shaft diameter down a bit, and perhaps drill a hole for a pin, hmmm ... that may just be a way to buy one.

Well I made the plunge and went with the Werner Skagit FG IM in a 260cm length. It was a little less expensive than the BB and is nice and light with a very adjustable feather angle. I'm 6'3" but I feel the 260 should do the trick. I liked the carbon shaft and the length was comfortable. Now I just need to get out and try it.

quote kanoes: "ill race a yak paddle user at wing night weekend. i just dont believe its faster."

I never heard how that went. Did you win?

I've paddle with a guy who used a yak paddle. I'll bet you lost...big time.

The reasons are very simple: twice the cadance and no correcting stroke or switching.

Don't get me wrong. I'd never use one. NEVER! But they are faster.

quote LoneWolf: "I use this Bending Branches Solo Canoe Paddle with my solo canoe. It gives you great control and speed on open water. As a back-up paddle I bring a bent-shaft canoe paddle, which I also use in tighter stream/bog areas.
I'm 6'2" and use the 280cm."

I have this same paddle - don't have as much experience as some, but I love it and will only use this when I'm soloing. As stated it's personal preference & best to try out BEFORE going on your trip :)

Happy paddling!

I just bought this paddle also, Campnscrap. I can't wait to try it out!

I started not knowing a damn thing (as usual) about two bladed paddles. Screwed up and bought a 240, (WRONG) then I bought a 260 BB Double Blade. Was ok but to short for me (RockStar Canoe)
Then I used nctry's double blade at Fall Wingnight and bought one of those....long story short worked peach like a 275 cm WAVE Double Blade.
Problem I have is after ALL THIS...Not sure I like a double blade yet.
May take some getting used to. Jury still out but, Moral of the story if you get a Yak Paddle for a canoe get a LONG Son of a GUN right away.

SunCatcher

All these people going over to the "dark side." ;) Me?...Never!

quote SunCatcher: "I started not knowing a damn thing (as usual) about two bladed paddles. Screwed up and bought a 240, (WRONG) then I bought a 260 BB Double Blade. Was ok but to short for me (RockStar Canoe)
Then I used nctry's double blade at Fall Wingnight and bought one of those....long story short worked peach like a 275 cm WAVE Double Blade.
Problem I have is after ALL THIS...Not sure I like a double blade yet.
May take some getting used to. Jury still out but, Moral of the story if you get a Yak Paddle for a canoe get a LONG Son of a GUN right away.


SunCatcher"

Correction... that was spring wingnight.

And PJ, I don't recall kanoes paddling with us when we had the yak paddles going. This could be a challenge for fall wingnight.

They do take some getting used to... I bring both.

If you are looking shear speed, I'm convinced a double blade wins hands down.

Butthead taught me (and it took some doing) speed ain't important.

ive thought about it since my challenge...i do know id lose. i still cant bring myself to yak a canoe. i have standards. :)

quote kanoes: " i still cant bring myself to yak a canoe. i have standards. :)"

Amen brother!

quote kanoes: "ive thought about it since my challenge...i do know id lose. i still cant bring myself to yak a canoe. i have standards. :)"

And they have a double standard :)

quote PJ: "All these people going over to the "dark side." ;) Me?...Never!"

I picked one up because my only canoe is a Kaynoe (basically an OT Pack made for Dick's). I still intend on using a normal paddle also :)

quote boonie: "

quote kanoes: "ive thought about it since my challenge...i do know id lose. i still cant bring myself to yak a canoe. i have standards. :)"

And they have a double standard :)"

Double bladed standards.

I can see it now, I will get to the pearly gates and the Lord will say...nope can't let you in, cause you used a double blade, you blasphemer!!!

SunCatcher

quote SunCatcher: "I can see it now, I will get to the pearly gates and the Lord will say...nope can't let you in, cause you used a double blade, you blasphemer!!!


SunCatcher"

I think in Heaven they all use double blades... Your okay!

quote nctry: "

quote SunCatcher: "I started not knowing a damn thing (as usual) about two bladed paddles. Screwed up and bought a 240, (WRONG) then I bought a 260 BB Double Blade. Was ok but to short for me (RockStar Canoe)
Then I used nctry's double blade at Fall Wingnight and bought one of those....long story short worked peach like a 275 cm WAVE Double Blade.
Problem I have is after ALL THIS...Not sure I like a double blade yet.
May take some getting used to. Jury still out but, Moral of the story if you get a Yak Paddle for a canoe get a LONG Son of a GUN right away.

Ben bring a long yak paddle for me to try at W/N.

Thanks
JB



SunCatcher"

Correction... that was spring wingnight.


And PJ, I don't recall kanoes paddling with us when we had the yak paddles going. This could be a challenge for fall wingnight.


They do take some getting used to... I bring both."

As campnscrap said, use it before you go. Whole different set of muscles involved.

Hi folks. Just returned from my 17-day Quetico solo. I purchased a 9-foot carbon shaft yak paddle from Spring Creek at Copia this year and used it for the first time on this trip. I also bring my 58" BB Expedition Plus wood paddle. The yak paddle is easily faster for the reasons some have stated previously. Even with a slight headwind, I was able to go up to 4 mph with max effort. With a slight tailwind, getting 5 mph was quite easy. I used my Bell Northwind as my solo canoe.