I have never paddled a double blade in a solo canoe and I am wondering about paddle length. My main use right now will be in a tandem canoe (Wenonah Jensen 18) that is 33” gunwhale width at the paddling location. Secondary hull is a solo canoe (Wenonah Voyager) with 22” gunwhale width. For those not familiar with the Jensen, it has zero rocker, and has less depth (12") in the center than the solo, it is one of Gene Jensen’s racing design for standard class.

From talking to people it appears standard 240cm kayak paddles could be used for the solo canoe, but a longer 260 or even 280 would be better for the tandem. I don’t want to buy two double blades. What would be the effects of the longer blade in the solo, and the shorter blade in the tandem? Which length would be the best compromise for paddling in both?

LOL - I popped into this thread because I thought it read "double BLADDERS". I was wondering if I was entering a bizzare thread on anatomy, or if someone had a question on using dual floatation bags in a whitewater canoe.

Nevermind.

I'll move along now.

If you can, try out all sizes. It's really a personal preference thing.

For me, I'd go with the longer paddle.

I personally wouldn't want any longer than the 260, especially if it's to be used for both canoes. 240 worked well for me in my Tranquility solo.
Going longer than 260 would seemingly be asking for too much flex issue. Also, crossing a lake on a windy day would be easier with the shorter 260 than the 280.

I use a Werner Kalliste Straight 230. However my gunnel width is only 24”.
I get more paddle drips than I would like but I am very comfortable with this length and put up with the water. I also carry a ZRE single blade and use either depending on conditions.
Don

I have a Werner double blade at 260cm and I find it too short. I should have purchased a 280cm length. I paddle a Rockstar with a 27 inch gunnel width. One problem fo me is that I get alot of dripping from the blade into the boat because I take a high stroke. If my paddle was a bit longer possible I could flatten the stroke and get less water inside...

One nice thing about the Werner is that you can set the feather angle of the blade for your own style. I know you can do the same thing on a BB but I don't think it has as many positions...

I first paddled as a solo with a 240 cm regular yak paddle. Lots of water dripping into the canoe. Purchased a 280 cm carbon shaft and have never looked back...unless my hat blew off in the wind...

I bought a 240, then a 260 , and then a 275cm WAVE made by Cannon.
I would use a 260 or 275 or 280 myself.

If you nedd a 240 let me know I have one for sale.

SunCatcher

260cm and above. Since you're going in a Jensen 18, I'd think more like a 280cm.

I traded my 240 for a 260 and it's perfect.

thanks everyone for your input, the main use of the tandem paddled solo with a double blade is for big rivers, Mississippi, St. Croix, and specifically Green River in Utah.

one thing that I should emphasize is that my tandem canoe is very straight tracking, that is what it was designed to do (zero rocker, straight ends, slight tumble home in center) it is a racing canoe

so I guess yaw probably isn't the concern it would be, IOW, going longer probably better than too short, would that be right?

in this canoe, the double blade will be primary mode, in my solo, it will be just another tool in the tool bag, primary mode would be a single blade, at least until I am totally hooked on a double blade :)
at which point I guess it would make sense to get a double blade specific to that boat if the first double blade were too long for it. does that seem reasonable?

one other thing, weight, what range would be comfortable for a full day of paddling? a full day for me is usually 3-5 hours in the morning, lunch, another session, snack, then another session if conditions allow. Not uncommon for me to paddle 10-12 hours, I have paddled sun up to sundown many times.

Well if you will be paddling 12 hours on the Green at 10 mph you will finish the river in a day.

We did it and mostly backpaddled. The current was strong and we wanted the scenery to slow down.

I use a 230 in my DragonFly which is about the width of your solo.

That longer paddle that you need in the tandem will be more tiring with the length of the lever arm and having to hold it up all day.

To find a 260-280 cm paddle that is light enough you will be needing carbon fiber and I am not aware of anyone making a CF paddle that long.

I just looked at the FoxWorx site and they have light 260s for canoes. A combo of wood and CF. FoxWorx double blade

k3 paddle

really appreciate your input YC

one paddle that looks interesting is the Bending Branches Slice Glass
it comes in 260 or 280 and they claim it weighs 35 oz
click here
it would be fitting to use a Fox paddle since the single blade I will be using is a Camp bent shaft 54"

did I mention I will be paddling upstream?
i should also point out, in my tandem paddling solo, I have two seating positions, one is actually an inch above the gunwhale, the other 2 1/2" below

quote yellowcanoe: "...To find a 260-280 cm paddle that is light enough you will be needing carbon fiber and I am not aware of anyone making a CF paddle that long..."

Spring Creek makes a carbon shaft 280. Bought mine at Copia in 2011. Very lightweight and easy to use in a tandem.

quote ZaraSp00k: "really appreciate your input YC


one paddle that looks interesting is the Bending Branches Slice Glass
it comes in 260 or 280 and they claim it weighs 35 oz
click here
it would be fitting to use a Fox paddle since the single blade I will be using is a Camp bent shaft 54"


did I mention I will be paddling upstream?
i should also point out, in my tandem paddling solo, I have two seating positions, one is actually an inch above the gunwhale, the other 2 1/2" below"

You didn't mention the upstream but in the last month I spend a few days doing that with my double blade..Sometimes "upstream" meant against the tide in a tidal river and other days were on rivers. The DB will allow you to keep from getting off course and into an unwanted ferry.

I use an eight and a half foot paddle for my Bell Magic and a nine foot paddle for my Bell CJ. The longer paddles require much less effort.

quote ZaraSp00k: "really appreciate your input YC


one paddle that looks interesting is the Bending Branches Slice Glass
it comes in 260 or 280 and they claim it weighs 35 oz
click here
it would be fitting to use a Fox paddle since the single blade I will be using is a Camp bent shaft 54"


did I mention I will be paddling upstream?
i should also point out, in my tandem paddling solo, I have two seating positions, one is actually an inch above the gunwhale, the other 2 1/2" below"

I have a 260cm BB Slice....not a bad paddle.

quote mr.barley:

I have a 260cm BB Slice....not a bad paddle."

That's what I have. No complaints.

Looks kinda workable..for a long paddle (way too long for my solos..but its not about my canoes and paddles) only six ounces more than my favorite AT Exception SL Tour.

quote TomT: "

quote mr.barley:

I have a 260cm BB Slice....not a bad paddle."

"

I would prefer the Impression to the Slice because I like the feel of wood, but it is 11 oz heavier ( 46 oz. vs. 35 oz.) according to their website, that seems like a lot of weight considering that is the total weight of some high end single blade paddles.

quote yellowcanoe:
The DB will allow you to keep from getting off course and into an unwanted ferry."

that was my thinking, between the current and the huge wind that develops later in the day, I figure a DB will come in very handy

quote mr.barley: "260cm and above. Since you're going in a Jensen 18, I'd think more like a 280cm."

I use a nine foot paddle for my 17 foot Jensen and my Bell CJ. That would be about 280.

quote RaisedByBears99: "

quote mr.barley: "260cm and above. Since you're going in a Jensen 18, I'd think more like a 280cm."

I use a nine foot paddle for my 17 foot Jensen and my Bell CJ. That would be about 280."

Speaking of..I don't see that you are carrying a spare. I am assuming it is a two piece paddle. Once I had a pin in the ferrule bust. But enough duct tape and twig splints ought to fix it up enough,

quote yellowcanoe: "

quote RaisedByBears99: "

quote mr.barley: "260cm and above. Since you're going in a Jensen 18, I'd think more like a 280cm."

I use a nine foot paddle for my 17 foot Jensen and my Bell CJ. That would be about 280."

Speaking of..I don't see that you are carrying a spare. I am assuming it is a two piece paddle. Once I had a pin in the ferrule bust. But enough duct tape and twig splints ought to fix it up enough,"

Taking a chance, I know. Really trying to keep weight and extra carrys down.

I finally paddled with a double blade and love it! The paddle I used was a 260 cm Bending Branches slice. I looked at the wood version (Impression), it is very pretty but also a bit heavier, especially in 280cm. If I go with a 280cm it will not be the Impression, that is still my big question, to go with 260 or 280. In my Voyager the 260 is plenty long, in fact could save some money and get the 240, but the whole point is to double blade in my Jensen 18, which isn'y much wider than a Prism. Decisions, decisions

I would think the 260 would be fine. I like my 280, but that's my preferance. I paddled a BB Expedition straight shaft paddle last night and fell in love. So next week will be back and forth between the double blade and the Expedition to see what I like the most.