So I have a canoe for my solo trip that has now turned into a father and daughter trip this June (so the Prism is staying home). But I'd still like to get it geared up and ready to go so I can do some shorter trips closer to home. I picked up a portage yoke already, but I think a double bladed paddle is something I would like.

I've never had the chance to paddle the canoe but I'd like to pick up a paddle this weekend at Copia if I can get a good idea of what size to purchase. It looks like the BB website is suggesting a 260.

Anybody paddling a Prism with a double that could give advice?

Your torso/arm length will be a factor. At copia I am sure there will be a prism and several paddles, although I have not seen many over 240 in past years. Take a paddle and go sit in the prism, you will get the idea of what will fit right. Also consider if you will high stroke or low stroke most of the time. The longer paddles fit better with the low stroke but dip pretty deep into the water bringing lots back up and into the boat when doing a high paddle technique.

I "rented" a double-blade during a solo (outfitter just gave it as part of package/asked for feedback.)

I was paddling a Bell Magic. I couldn't get the boat to go a straight line no matter what I did. Couldn't get the hang of it.

And my lap was wet within a few minutes and my hands got cold from all the drips. There was a drip collar, but I think since I had such a high angle (I'm also 6'4") it didn't help matters.

So it stayed strapped under the thwarts for the entire 9 day trip. I thought of it as my spare paddle.

Just my experience...

quote Exo: "I "rented" a double-blade during a solo (outfitter just gave it as part of package/asked for feedback.)


I was paddling a Bell Magic. I couldn't get the boat to go a straight line no matter what I did. Couldn't get the hang of it.


And my lap was wet within a few minutes and my hands got cold from all the drips. There was a drip collar, but I think since I had such a high angle (I'm also 6'4") it didn't help matters.


So it stayed strapped under the thwarts for the entire 9 day trip. I thought of it as my spare paddle.


Just my experience..."

Pretty common experience. A double blade does not mean auto go straight. If your hands are not equidistant from the ends or you have a more powerful side a turn is going to happen

Time is needed. A few minutes is not enough. It takes a few days and even years to get a really efficient stroke though you should be able to go straight in a couple of hours.

I have a 230 I will part with. Email me if you are interested

I have a lot of hours in a kayak so I'm not too worried about not liking the double in a solo. And I have several 230's but thought they'd be much too short to be useful? Interested in anyone's experience in a Prism with a 260 or 280. Especially if you're around 5' 11". Thanks.

I am 5’ 10” and paddle a magic some of the time. I have used a 250 cm for years and loved it but after a long day the shoulder muscle would burn. I now have a 240 cm and prefer it and no more shoulder burn. To understand what a long paddle does try riding a 18 speed bicycle in 18th gear all day.

I also use a 240 in a Magic, bent shaft and I really like that feature. The gunnel on the Prism is wider so I might want to go to a 250 and I am 5'11".

I paddle a Canack which is similar to a Prisim. I'm 5'10" and I use a a 250 but like people have said .Arm and torso length are a factor. Ask one of the sales reps what he thinks

Thanks for all the information. I may wait and paddle the Prism with the 230 that I have first to get a better idea of what would work for me. The ice will not last long the way the weather has been.

your idea to use it with the paddles you have to better understand your own needs is the way to go

everyone is different

Depending a 230 might be too short. I'm 5'10" with average arm length and I'm using a 250 on my Canack (decked canoe). Very similar to a Prism. You can get a Fishing Kayak paddle in that length or Werner paddles will special order a longer regular Kayak paddle at no up charge . Even their high end Ovation . Mine is on the way. I used to scarf at using a Kayak paddle in a canoe but it's what I use most of the time with no issues going straight.

Managed to find enough open water to paddle the Prism yesterday. Had to dodge some ice but was good to be back on the water. The 230 was more usable than I thought but an extra 10cm on each end would be beneficial. I quickly concluded the kayak paddle would be the most efficient method for me to paddle the canoe over long distances. Thanks for all the advice and help.

quote onepaddleshort: "I have a lot of hours in a kayak so I'm not too worried about not liking the double in a solo. And I have several 230's but thought they'd be much too short to be useful? Interested in anyone's experience in a Prism with a 260 or 280. Especially if you're around 5' 11". Thanks."

I use a Cannon ProAngler slider (adjustable 250-270) with my Prism. I like 260 or slight over (sweet spot) for my arm reach. An average arm reach/5'8" H). I paddle both hi & lo angles depending on speed I choose. I never have drips running down my arms nor water in the canoe from paddling. A dbl paddle is noisier, admittedly.
A single paddle as a spare is used for tighter spaces. I had a 280 dbl paddle and thought it to be a tad too long--but still manageable.

quote onepaddleshort: "Managed to find enough open water to paddle the Prism yesterday. Had to dodge some ice but was good to be back on the water. The 230 was more usable than I thought but an extra 10cm on each end would be beneficial. I quickly concluded the kayak paddle would be the most efficient method for me to paddle the canoe over long distances. Thanks for all the advice and help."

This is good news to me. I just bought a 240 a few days ago. But since my truck was rear ended I have not been able to go paddling this year. No rack on the Prius, and besides, SWMBO won't let me take that car into the woods. <-o

Bummer on the truck.

I rented a prism last year. I can't tell you the kayak paddle length. I can tell you I'm 5'3". I also had a canoe paddle. I only used the paddle one day. Otherwise, I used the kayak paddle throughout.

Yeah, I learned to love the double blade last summer.
My truck is totaled, so I am out of luck on that score.
Oh well, I'll figure something out with my replacement vehicle...
Life is interesting.

I use a 230 cm Current Designs "narrower blade" kayak paddle in my Magic. I am 6 feet tall with long arms (35 inch sleeve) and I have a "high stroke" ... and at first I thought that it may be a tad short but it works great for me. I would not go longer. No shoulder burn at all.

But remember like bhouse46 said "the gunnel on a Prism is wider than a Magic". I and would think that a longer double blade like a 250 even a 260.

Go sit in a Prism and test out a double blade and see what length works best for you.

I'm using a prism on my solo this summer. Do you recommend a double blade over a single?

I'm short: 5'3"

quote nojobro: "I'm using a prism on my solo this summer. Do you recommend a double blade over a single?


I'm short: 5'3""

I just spent about three hours in my Prism this afternoon. I don't see how you can hit and switch paddle with a single blade and possibly make the same time you can with a double. I can only get about 2 strokes per side before I switch. If I do 3 the heading is wandering enough that I'm losing time. With the double I can really get the boat moving and keep it there with no heading changes. I'm still using the 230 but longer would be better as I'm raising the blades up enough that I'm getting some water on my lap. This is all from the perspective of someone who only has 4 hours total in a solo and all of them in a Prism.

Nola, the general consensus is that the double blade has advantages over the single blade but those advantages must be weighed against the experience of the paddler. If you had no prior experience I would suggest starting with the double. The learning curve in changing from single to double can offset the advantages at first and unless you have a good feel for the blade in the water can actually have disadvantages at first. The double blade allows a lower angle stroke and with practice can move a boat very fast with less effort, but most single blade paddlers still utilize the high angle stroke with a double blade resulting in water on your legs or lap and ultimately in the bilge. Sliding the paddle to extend it on one side can be useful in paddling with a cross wind and in making turns.
The bent shaft double blade paddle is reported to reduce carpel tunnel problems. I find it gives me great reference marks for sliding the paddle out or in on either side and a shaft reference to the angle of the blade in the water. It also allows a shifting of wrist angle to shaft and I can adjust the overall stroke to shift muscle groups as I paddle. That comes in handy after a few hours.
Being short and the width of the gunnel on the Prism you might find your knuckles whacking the gunnel. Something to watch for. I would start you with a 230 narrow blade in bent shaft and go from there.
Bottom line, each of us seems to have what fits us best and the only way to know for sure is to experiment.

I have been using a double in my Prism for twenty years. I am six foot one and after using several lengths find that a 260 works best with the Prism loaded for tripping. I use low angle strokes with the blade near the surface. Rotating my torso allows me to paddle for hours without tiring my arms. I have seen many switch to a double for most of their solo paddling. All I have witnessed are happiest with at least a 260. The lighter the paddle the happier you will be. Unless I am heading up rocky streams I take along my Werner Camano all carbon 260. I find that my loaded Prism and the double blade cruise along at an effortless 3.3 mph.

using the double blade...I would sit on the seat like usual, correct?

Mostly you will sit in the seat as usual, but then...
As you get into the feel of the paddle you will begin to realize having some back support might be helpful and then you will want to get some foot braces as they really do enhance the feel of the pull/push experience the double blade fosters.
Sometimes I miss the old days where the choices were pretty much in length and material. All the options can be very overwhelming.
I pretty much repeat my advice from above. Find through experience how the blade feels in the water and that you put the blade only, not a lot of shaft, into the water. I am sure Rutabaga can give you some good advice and even practice options. Over time you will buy enough so even if you do not buy this time, it is okay in my thinking.
And do continue to overthink it. I do not want to be the only one who does that.

quote nojobro: "I'm using a prism on my solo this summer. Do you recommend a double blade over a single?


I'm short: 5'3""

nojo- I recommend you take a double and a single - you need a spare anyway and a single is useful if go up any small creeks. Just keep switching back and forth and eventually you'll find which one you prefer. I find that I mostly use a double these days, but in the past it has varied. I still think I should work on my technique with a single blade. I'm not much taller than you and the rental I used last fall was 230 cm, which was OK.