I rented a Prism from Piragis. The boat seemed to be mismanufactured as I perceived that it had a torque in it. In calm waters I had to paddle about two strokes on the port side to every one on the starboard side to maintain a straight course line. I was double blading then as I do now with my own Prism. My Prism never requires this forced correction and I am able to paddle normally. Has anyone else had this problem?

It's always possible the boat you rented was twisted, but is it possible that you had just started double blading with the rental?

It's very common when starting out to have to paddle an unequal number of strokes on each side. Factors as grip not being exactly equidistant from the blades and also the approach angle on each side being potentially different might have been at play.

I swear my kayak does the same thing. It always pulls to one side.

Yes, it was the first time I had ever double bladed a canoe, however I had done some kayaking before. Who knows about how I used the paddle then? I may have misused that double blade but I sure tried hard to overcome this rental Prism's bias to turn left during that trip. I am right handed and naturally my right side strokes are stronger and I thought that this was the cause. So, I conscientiously lightened up my right stroke and I still had to give an extra hard pull on my left side. I shifted my loads also, to no avail.

I bought a Prism two years later along with an expensive Aquabound paddle at Canoecopia. This boat handles beautifully! BTW, I hated the pedestal seat that Prisms have, so I removed the seat and replaced it with a caned bottom, wood seat. The pedestal seat carrying yoke was too high up and it seemed that during portages my arms were reaching up too much. I am too use to having the yoke being near level with the gunwales.

Maybe you just had it loaded off-center...?

Who knows? Handedness ought to have not much to do with it but I suspect you propelled your boat with pulls on the blade only. Double blading really calls for a forward stroke that is equal push and pull, hence negating the tendency we all have to favor one side.

Push left while pulling right
Push right while pulling left

try it next time if you haven't already. You may already be doing it.

Some boats are sprung and have a tendency to wander off course. Now that you have your own boat, the initial Prism is old history.

double blading

Yellowcanoe, I appreciate your expertise. I have been canoeing for almost 50 years but almost all of that experience was using a single blade. But I think my skill in single blading comes over to double blading, and the push, pull stroke is a natural thing. It is like paddling with a long single blade paddle which, in a sense, I have done for many years. I usually take the stern and I like a longer paddle there (even longer than many do) to give me more fulcrum, more power.

I guess what I was seeking is confirmation that, indeed, the Prism I rented was "sprung" which seems confirmed by the fact that the Prism I now own tracks well.

I have the same problem when I double blade in non-ruddered kayaks. They all pull to one side and it doesn't seem to matter how symmetrical I make my stroke. I know the fault lies with me though. Now I just single blade everything unless I'm racing or training with a wing and surf ski.

Do you still have the pedestal you took out of your prism? Want to sell it?

Alan

Its hard to know someones background and harder still without on scene witnesses to tell what went wrong.

Boats sometimes ARE twisted..I saw a Nova Craft that was so bent I wonder why it was sold.. And Bill Masons Prospector was slightly skewed.

Wal, you've been paddling as long as me and lets let the link go to help others develop their double blading skills. A friend and I did a paired solo in the Everglades. He got broadsided into the mangroves and fell out onto what he thought was a gator. Scrambling back in the boat at top speed he pulled a chest muscle and the next day it still hurt. He was ready to call for an evac but we did a little practicing. He had not developed the push-pull skill. And once discovered he was able to get himself back to the entry on his own power with no undue discomfort.

quote yellowcanoe:

Boats sometimes ARE twisted..I saw a Nova Craft that was so bent I wonder why it was sold.. And Bill Masons Prospector was slightly skewed.
"

Back in the 80's when I worked for "Rutabaga", we had a "special purchase" of some Sawyer Champs. For reasons that I can't recall, the mold went out of true and the "Champs" hooked to the left. I doubt this applies to the Wenonah Prism mold though.

Hans Solo

quote Alan Gage: "I have the same problem when I double blade in non-ruddered kayaks. They all pull to one side and it doesn't seem to matter how symmetrical I make my stroke. I know the fault lies with me though. Now I just single blade everything unless I'm racing or training with a wing and surf ski.


Do you still have the pedestal you took out of your prism? Want to sell it?


Alan"

No, Alan, I discarded it thinking that there would be no market for it.

HansSolo, you worked for Rutabaga in the 80s!!! My wife and I bought our first canoe from Rutabaga in 1978, a Sawyer Cruiser, Kevlar and among the first Kevlars made then. I believe Sawyer started making Kevlars in 1974. For an almost newly wed couple we shelled out a lot of money for that boat, so you see where our values were then!!! We lived in Madison at the time and, of course, bought the boat from the Regent St.(?) location. I believe Gordy sold it to us.

i have a prism. it is a sawbill setup with the set set back 21 inches.
i j stroke this canoe all over the bwca. might be a trim situation.