My 27 year old son will be doing his second dual solo with me next summer. Last year, he rented a Prism from Sawbill and used a kayak paddle. Sawbill moves the seat to the rear so that you don't have to remove the yoke. He really liked the setup. I also do, and that is the way the one I own is set up.

This year, we're planning to go off the Gunflint, where outfitters don't have canoes set up this way. I'm assuming that they only have solos with the canoe seat in the middle of the canoe. He has to rent a canoe, as he is from Phoenix, and paddling is tough in the desert. The baggage fee for a canoe is a bit stiff as well.

What do you think about paddles for a "standard" Prism setup? Still go with a yak paddle, or go conventional?

Tomster

He needs a spare..right? A bent shaft works fine from the center. So does a yak paddle.

When he rents the boat there ought to be some bents available. Sit and switch is the way to go.

Paddle a couple of strokes on one side. Just as the hull starts to yaw switch sides.

As he is used to a seat set farther back the main issue may be whether or not the outfitter has kayak paddles long enough to allow paddling from the center.

I use 240s for my solos..with a 27 inch or less gunwale width and a low angle stroke from a station four inches aft of center. Your son may be taller and need a longer paddle or his mechanics might be different. So getting a long enough double blade may be your challenge.

You always need a spare. Paddling with half a broken yak paddle is not much fun. Have a single blade too. Bents provide optimum power for the seated paddler.