Such fun to hit the water last evening with my wife and little dog. Although not in my new 'old' canoe, I still had the opportunity to parade the perimeter of our lake, ice freshly out. It was a fantastic trip complete with the usual geese, king fisher, osprey, loons and a first on our puddle...a beaver, tail slapping a greeting.

One big observation and difference between paddling and yak paddling, from my knees down to the tip of by boots, my legs were soaked to the bone after a 40 minute trip. Too funny, glad I bought a pair of Chota Hippies if this is to be the 'norm.

So, is it going to be the norm? Perhaps I could use a technique tip.

I liked the speed and diversity of using the yak paddle. However also appreciate the desirability of a single blade. As suggested by several on this forum, bringing both may be the best route for me to go.

Thank you, and still smiling, ear to ear,
Mac

I had the same problem and posted an inquiry about gaiters with mixed response. gaiters I picked up a pair that velcro nicely and fit from my boot to my knee while visiting family in Colorado for Christmas. I have used them several times and they work fine to keep the water off my legs. The boots still get wet, but will anyway and not a concern. I also put a sham wow on the floor and from time to time squeeze out what water it absorbs. I have the OR Rocky Mountain and got them cheaper than REI price. OR gaiters at REI|pcrid|3010461307|pkw|gaiters|pmt|be|bing|main&pagesize=90
It is a great system for paddling around home. When I trip I doubt I will bother as I will be wet footing and getting wet up to my knees anyway. They do stay up nicely when portaging from water to parking lot so they may go along on cooler weather trips where I try to not wet foot so much. Eventually the chota waders will solve all those problems.

Never having used a yak paddle got me wondering. I assume you are getting wet from water flowing down the shaft of the paddle and dripping off your hands?

If this be the case, might there be some sort of a little gadget that would fit over the handle near the blade to keep the water from following the shaft? Just wondering.

awebrown, your presumption is correct, and there are drip cups that stop most of the water. The paddle tends to come back over the open boat (covered in kayaks) and drops water. In single blade this is an occasional thing, with the double blade it is nearly every stroke. Longer paddles and low angle paddling reduce this. The link to gaiters addresses this issue fairly well.
There are other links that address the single or double paddle and the advantages of each. It is my impression the double paddle is gaining popularity with solo paddlers, especially those who have experience with them from kayaking.

I used a kayak paddle for the first time on my trips last year. Immediately noticed the same problem of water in the canoe. Lots of it.

I found that paddling with a low angle stroke was the best solution, and a long paddle was helpful. I also wore some rubberized gloves when the water and weather was cool, which lowered the discomfort factor.

Noticed much better speed when out on the water, but had to switch to a regular paddle in the shallows. I am now thinking that will be my new configuration.

Working on a way to clamp the kayak paddle down when not in use. Found it to be problematic when not in use as it didn't fit down into the boat very well with packs and gear on board.

Thanks for the link...it answered my questions. I was using the water 'cups' on my double blade as rests for my hands. Also, apparently I'm a digger when it comes to my stroke. In the future, starting tomorrow night if it isn't raining, I'll begin work on a shallow stroke...wearing my chotas and a smile of course.

Much appreciated

Like you I was having problem with water dripping into my solo, I was using a 220cm yak paddle when traveling. I am a "high" stroke paddler. tried the "low" stroke but just not comfortable for me, asked for others advise and got some response, finally Suncatcher said he had a 260cm Bending Branches Splash that he'd sell me and If I didn't like it he'd refund my money and I could resell it on the board and send him the money. He brought it to Canoecopia in 2013 and Brent hauled it back to Rochester Mn for me... so I now use the 260 and no more water drips in the canoe, hopefully you can hook up with someone who has a log yak paddle to try. FRED

I'm failing to see how a longer paddle would reduce drips with a high stroke, unless you really need a longer paddle for your particular stroke I'd just install more effective drips crings to whatever paddle is right for your stroke. High stroking is likely to get you more wet just like sit and switch will compared to a J stroker.

and it seems to me that learning both a high stroke and low stroke is a valuable thing to do, just like knowing how to use a straight or bent shaft is, calling oneself a low stroker or high stroker is just another way of saying you are still a learner isn't it?

Since the monsoon stopped I have been able to get out and enjoy my shallower stroke, a longer yak paddle and proper placement of the water cups. Of greatest water repelling impact however, has been the addition of a pair of Chota trekkers/hippies. It is a treat to zip along with less water in the canoe and keep dry at the same time. Recently I have also applied other tips from this forum and have improved my wind management considerably.

Thanks to all for advancing my education.

You are welcome. I have also learned so much from this web site.