I finally wound up with a solo canoe and have a couple of questions regarding paddles. I think I prefer to stick with a canoe paddle rather than a kayak paddle. Do most of you prefer a bent or straight shaft and do you use the same length you use for a tandem? I wound up with a used Vagabond in kevlar u.l. and a sliding center seat. Thanks for the input

Bent shaft for sitting and switching. Length depends on how low your seat is.

The Vagabond is pretty wide so its going to be hard to get a vertical paddle plant in. Most folks use bents that are five inches plus minus shorter than their straight paddles.

Tandem I use the same length paddle but again it depends on your seat height in that tandem. Otherwise it does not matter whether you are paddling solo or tandem.

You might also take along a straight shaft paddle as you need a spare anyways.

Sit and switch also
I have 3 Wenonah canoes and most of the people I paddle with have them, I find a 50" bent shaft works well in both tandem & solo. I have a couple straight shaft that are 4" longer, but that is mostly because they are cheapies and only come in that length, I'd probably get 52" or maybe 53" if I were to invest in a straight shaft. But I really don't use the straight shaft, it's more a spare and bear beater. I'm 6'

52 straight, 50 bent (48 would work too)...both zaverals. canoe is a magic. im 5-11 with an average torso length.

I have both - 52 bent for open water and 54 straight for rivers and creeks, both Bending Branches.

I like a straight shaft in a solo canoe. Switching every 3 or 4 strokes wears me out, and I feel like I am fighting myself. Solo canoeing actually forced me to learn how to J stroke and it works well for me. I am more successful J stroking on my left side for some reason, but definately better all around than switching for me anyways.

Same length as in a tandem, though that is probably more for financial reasons ;)

Thank you all for the input. It sounds as though my Zaveral Rec will work fine and I will add a straight shaft to carry as well.

quote bumabu: "I like a straight shaft in a solo canoe. Switching every 3 or 4 strokes wears me out, and I feel like I am fighting myself. Solo canoeing actually forced me to learn how to J stroke and it works well for me. I am more successful J stroking on my left side for some reason, but definately better all around than switching for me anyways.
"

This year I was surprised at the number of BWCA solo folks who did not seem to know the J stroke. Sometimes it looked painful to watch how often they switched sides.

quote OBX2Kayak: "

quote bumabu: "I like a straight shaft in a solo canoe. Switching every 3 or 4 strokes wears me out, and I feel like I am fighting myself. Solo canoeing actually forced me to learn how to J stroke and it works well for me. I am more successful J stroking on my left side for some reason, but definately better all around than switching for me anyways.
"

This year I was surprised at the number of BWCA solo folks who did not seem to know the J stroke. Sometimes it looked painful to watch how often they switched sides."

There is hit and switch done properly. And switching sides done incredibly poorly, which is what you saw.

To see a soloist power a small narrow boat upwind at a rapid speed with hit and switch is a thing of beauty. You can hit and switch kneeling with a straight or sitting with a bent.

J strokes are to be avoided unless you need to make a hard turn. They have a huge amount of friction loss. End your stroke well ahead of you. The forward stroke is SHORT. And when the hull starts to yaw, switch sides. Undoubtedly those people carried the blade and shaft hand way behind their hip. This is a guaranteed sweep. And then you have to undo the effects of that sweep with a J.

Its harder in solo than tandem as the opposing sides in tandem tend to balance better, but yes its possible to minimize or eliminate the J.

I take it you are referecing the thumb down J. River J is another beast that really can break you heart in flatwater.

Yes we are meandering and I helped hijack.

i hit and switch. doesnt slow the craft like a J does.

I haven't used a J stroke in about 20 years, I'm not sure I could do one properly anymore

It's kinda like stepping on the gas and brake peddle at the same time

I have a Bell Rockstar and use 62" straight and a 50" bent paddles. I'm a J-stroke paddler and make no apologies for it. I'm comfortable with it and I go as fast or as slow as I want. I've tried the S & S technique a few times but I like the control I have using the J. To each his own I guess...

quote Sierra1: "I have a Bell Rockstar and use 62" straight and a 50" bent paddles. I'm a J-stroke paddler and make no apologies for it. I'm comfortable with it and I go as fast or as slow as I want. I've tried the S & S technique a few times but I like the control I have using the J. To each his own I guess..."

There is no need to apologize. The J and its river buddy the stern pry are other tools in the box.

Some of the myriad ways to go forward straight are pitch, J, Stern pry, Canadian, Northwoods, Hit and Switch, forward and cross forward. All are good tools to have.

At one point I had both a Zaveral Rec & Medium, and I ended up returning the Rec and getting another Medium. The grip is way nicer (carbon vs plastic) and the feel of the Medium is way better than the Rec. Highly recommended - you'll never go back to wood after paddling with one of these. Get the blemish and save some cash.

http://www.zre.com/catalog/zmedium10ozcarbonfibercanoepaddle-p-170.html?osCsid=8e0ff8503d6e5083771e23bc0550434a