I took my 16 foot Blackhawk solo canoe out today with the intention of trying out my BB Slice Plus Kayak paddle. It is adjustable from 225 cm to 240 cm and I was very worried it was going to be too short.

Well after spending an hour and a half paddling with it I am overjoyed! Sure a 260 or 280 cm paddle probably would be better but this one is perfectly ok. I noticed a few things though.

I primarily paddle on the left side with a straight shaft single blade and I would find my left hand sliding down unconciously on the yak paddle. I also would use the fingers more on my right hand. It will take some time to correct this.

But all said I absolutely love it. I really like how it works the shoulders and arms the same. I can see using it in the BW except when fishing or on small streams. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the fact that water drips off the blade in the canoe. No problem when it's warm out though.

Bring on those headwinds, I will be ready for ya!

I had the same dripping water problem with my 240cm yak paddle. I have since went to a 260cm paddle and I hardly get any water in my canoe anymore.

quote mr.barley: "I had the same dripping water problem with my 240cm yak paddle. I have since went to a 260cm paddle and I hardly get any water in my canoe anymore."

Yep, the 9ft kayak paddle is what you need for a canoe. My neighbor gal just tried out and bought a kayak from where I work and tried a shorter... I think less than 240cm paddle. It worked good but boy you got wet. The 240cm worked for her in the kayak and then she stayed pretty dry. But that's a kayak. The Carbon shaft 9fter is the way to go. Got mine ready to go for the next eighteen days.

I'm going to go into Piragis (where I ordered my paddle) when I go on my trip and see if I can trade it in. If they wanna give me 1/2 price for mine I'll just keep it.

It's not a big deal and the shorter length will store easier and be easier to carry on portages. I should've done better research before buying. But I'm really excited about the possibilites of traveling long distances without tiring now. :)

quote TomT: "I'm going to go into Piragis (where I ordered my paddle) when I go on my trip and see if I can trade it in. If they wanna give me 1/2 price for mine I'll just keep it.


It's not a big deal and the shorter length will store easier and be easier to carry on portages. I should've done better research before buying. But I'm really excited about the possibilites of traveling long distances without tiring now. :)"

a 10 oz. zaveral isnt tiring either. :)

Well, to each his own. I'm glad you like the double blade, however you said that you "really like how it works the shoulders and arms the same." I like the single blade so that I don't have to use my shoulders or arms but rather the stronger, core muscles. A double blades makes my shoulders ache.

You also said, "Bring on those headwinds." When I get headwinds that is when I want a single blade. I can keep the bow nice and steady, where with a double blade, each stroke takes you off line. If I were to use a double blade at all, it would be on clam water when efficency and control isn't as important and the wind isn't a factor.

I believe that traveling long distances with a double blade will make you more tired than with a single blade. You are using weaker muscles and you are not traveling in a straight line.

Bannock, why must you rain on my parade? :)

I see your point though. There was only a slight hint of any wind yesterday so I have yet to experience that. Thanks for the heads up. I'm taking the boat out for the next three weekends and doing training runs around the lake. Hopefully I can get my shoulders used to it.

I do love that speed though!

I believe that traveling long distances with a double blade will make you more tired than with a single blade. You are using weaker muscles and you are not traveling in a straight line. "


Actually a proper forward stroke with a double blade should also use the core torso muscles, just like a canoe stroke. You're right if you turn your torso with each stroke you are using the larger muscles and shoulder and arm fatigue isn't as big a factor. Keeping a straight course might just be a matter of technique and practice, it's possible to make subtle little corrective strokes with a yak paddle to keep you on course. I like a bent shaft canoe paddle in my Magic, I've tried a yak paddle a few times, the speed difference is noticeable. Someday I'm gonna test speed over the same course with a GPS just to see what the difference is. Like you said, "to each his own."

I partially agree with Bannock... You will tire more over time. But I've battled the headwinds with both and the yak paddle out performs the bent shaft hands down. I paddle with the double a lot of the time and when I get sore or need a break I pull out the bent shaft. We're all built different so what is good for some may not be for others. So I respect Bannocks claims and opinions... A pretty respectable person. Not many things work the same for everyone... Tom T, it's up to you to figure out what works for you. I'm heading out tomorrow for 18 days. First thing is battling Brule Lake. :) Break out the kayak paddle!

Bannock brings up an excellent point often overlooked by paddlers: using core muscles. We tend to paddle with our arms; pushing out with the upper hand, pulling in (or creating a fulcrum brace) with the lower hand. It is better for your body (and you can paddle longer and stronger) if you pivate at the waist. If you start the stroke with your sturnum pointing straight ahead and end the stroke with your sturnum pointing almost 90 degrees perpendicular you will be using your core muscles.

It takes some time getting used to. It doesn't feel natural. I've used at the end of a long paddling day when my arms and shoulders are yelling at me to stop paddling.

With the yak paddle I tried to not seperate my hands too far apart on the shaft. Then I basically imitated a power stroke of the single blade on both sides of the boat.

This is why I would get wet - because the shaft comes up almost vertical, maybe a 75 degree angle. Even with a longer paddle I'd still get wet paddling this way. I also don't hit the gunwale with this technique and I can compensate for wind by having a shallower angle on the shaft to the side that's getting the wind.

At least that's my theory as I haven't paddled in a wind yet.

quote TomT: "Bannock, why must you rain on my parade? :)"

Sorry. I was grumpy yesterday. I need to paddle.

quote Bannock: "

quote TomT: "Bannock, why must you rain on my parade? :)"

Sorry. I was grumpy yesterday. I need to paddle."

lol :)

But you did bring up a good point as PJ said. I believe there is a place for both in the world of solo canoes.

Both of you have valid points.

As for which paddle to use into a headwind, use what you feel is best. I've found my 9-foot yak paddle far better into a headwind, even big headwinds. For example, on Burt this July, I quartered into 2-foot caps and rollers from the west, with water sometimes spitting over the bow into the canoe. With a regular paddle, I can control the canoe fairly easily so I don't get broadsided. Same with the yak paddle. The difference is that I move quicker through the waves with the yak paddle because I get more strokes in a given time that with a regular paddle. Some others have commented they seem to have less control with the yak paddle. I haven't had that problem. Like TomT mentioned, in heavy waves, I tend to go more vertical with my yak strokes, digging in a bit more than normal, which increases the power of each stroke but also resulting in some water dripping into the canoe from the 9-foot paddle. The key to paddling into headwinds with either regular or yak paddles is proper trimming of your canoe.

As for getting tired after a long day of paddling, I'm tired regardless of the paddle I use. I have found I can reduce the stress of the yak paddle on my forearms and shoulders by shortening my strokes and using my torso more which can make it less tiring. Usually, the portages tucker me out much more than simply paddling, unless I'm fighting into the wind every day, like during my July trip.

For fishing, I still like using the regular paddle to more easily maneuver the canoe into position for casting to shoreline structure. This is especially the case when any wind is blowing.

Got the solo out on the forest preserve lake this morning in a good breeze. Did laps for 1 and 3/4 hours. Well, I change my mind. I love the paddle but it's just not long enough. To quote Captain Kirk "Mr. Scott, give us full power!"

I'm going to list my paddle in the Wanted to Buy section and get a real nice big one when I get to Ely. It's like outboard motors - why settle on a 10 horse when I could use a 25?