Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Solo canoeing using kayak paddle?
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Hoaf |
quote housty9: "I use a bb navigator 250 cm, love it..." +1 I paddle a Magic and have a BB navigator 260 (custom length) that I use when I want to move from point A to point B quickly. Bring a single blade as a spare and use that when I'm fishing or just out for a stroll. |
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coloradomike |
quote Whatsit: "quote Blatz: "Whatsit. How many people can say they quit a Bagpipe band? " Not nearly as many as should have. I like good bagpipe bands, but mediocre one are painful to hear. |
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Whatsit |
quote boonie: "quote Whatsit: "Just got back from trying out the kayak paddles. They really worked great. Yes, I'm taking both the double blade and the bent shaft. |
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Whatsit |
quote coloradomike: "quote Whatsit: "quote Blatz: "Whatsit. How many people can say they quit a Bagpipe band? " :-) |
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Whatsit |
Mike |
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boonie |
quote Whatsit: "Just got back from trying out the kayak paddles. They really worked great. When I first started I didn't really know anything about paddling and would try both, going back and forth. First, I'd like one, then the other. I've finally settled on the double for most of my paddling. I would still like to become more proficient with single blades, but it's difficult when that's about the only time I paddle. Do you plan to take both with the single as a spare? |
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boonie |
quote muddyfeet: "Yeah, paddle your boat however you like. Yes, but what do the Aussies say? :) When Jaywalker first brought it up, I thought what you were doing would be defined by the craft rather than the means of propulsion. Interesting that you say double-bladers are paddling rather than kayaking, while single bladers are canoeing rather than paddling . . . :) What are SUPers doing? I've decided that one of the best things about soloing is the lack of semantics :) |
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TomT |
I loved the double but didn't like portaging all that length and being plastic it is not exactly light. Another feature is bringing water in the canoe while paddling the double. Also and a huge factor for not bringing the double anymore is my love affair I'm having with the new Zav. I can paddle all day without tiring. It's like paddling with air. Well worth my $225 investment. |
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muddyfeet |
I think Jaywalker is correct in being technical, though. In defining the sport: ICF rules for sprint and marathon are explicit about kayaker using only a double blade and canoeists using only a single blade paddle. ...so while you double-bladers are 'paddling', us single-bladers are the only ones actually 'canoeing' :) I also find it interesting that in the U.K. both kayaks and canoes are referred to as 'canoeing' while 'Canadian canoeing' is used to specify an actual canoe. Crazy brits. |
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Jaywalker |
quote boonie: "Ponder this: Oh, well spoken, Prince Boonie of Denmark! I'm humbled and impressed! |
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boonie |
To paddle or not to paddle, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler to suffer the single blade against outrageous fortune, Or take up the double blade against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them. :) |
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hiawatha |
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FOG51 |
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Trapper7 |
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Whatsit |
Thanks for all your opinions and thoughts Mike |
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butthead |
There got that part done! No I do not like them and do not use them, but hell I'm a butthead! Big proponent of try it ya may like it, if so no reason not to use them. Personally I'm a single blade guy, who has refined thru trial and error the paddles I like. 14 degree ZAV Z Lite and a straight Z Lite, different tools for different situations. butthead |
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Wally13 |
Butthead, TOO FUNNY LOL |
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ducks |
But, after my 3rd one I was wishing that I had used my single blade more often so on my 4th solo (2 weeks ago) I forced myself to use the single blade by not bringing a kayak paddle this time. I really enjoyed it much more. In the future I may bring a double as a back up only if the weather forecast calls for windy days. |
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AmarilloJim |
quote Whatsit: "Well I must admit I always thought like Butthead " That is a serious condition my friend. I suggest you get that checked out ASAP! |
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boonie |
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Wally13 |
quote ZaraSp00k: "a lot of people here have said long yak paddles are the cats meow, so I bought two SUP adjustable paddles, took off the ends and stuck them together, so I have a 148" yak paddle, they are correct, there's nothing like a long yak paddle in a solo, I never get so much as a drop of water in my boat, all you suckerz with shorter paddles just don't know what you are missing" Your 148 inch yak most certainly will out perform my short 90 1/2 inch yak ! Like you say ZaraSp00k " nothing like a longer yak paddle in a solo" LOL |
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Blatz |
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ZaraSp00k |
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muddyfeet |
quote butthead: "Sacreligious!!! May lighting strike the solo canoe double blade user-------- lol. Butthead, that's great. |
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Jaywalker |
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AmarilloJim |
Can't say I have had any water issues in the boat with the longer paddles. You can make adjustments into the wind faster with the yak paddle and without a reduction in speed IMHO. |
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Wally13 |
I use a 90 1/2 inch ... 230 cm Wenonah Current Designs Yak paddle that I bought back in 1992 with my Bell Magic. I really like its efficiency and paddling ease. I carry a 52 inch bent shaft as a backup. Yeah, you get a little water on your arms and thighs but that is really the only negative I see using a double blade yak in a canoe. And to me it's such a minimal issue to even worry about. |
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hooky |
quote Wheeldog: "Are people using bent grip kayak paddles like a Werner or is it all straight shaft paddles, the reason I ask is I WW kayak and have my WW paddles and all are bent shaft. Just wondering if it would work for soloing or if people have found that WW kayak paddles don't work as well as other kayak paddles. Thanks" I used a 230cm straight paddle for a solo in a vagabond and it was jsut fine. Not sure I'd want go much shorter than 200, but just like in the yak, it depends on your reach. I don't think bent vs. straight is the issue as much as the length. |
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bhouse46 |
I came back to canoe after several years in a kayak and had developed skill and comfort with the double blade paddle. I know folks like butthead who have developed the single blade stroke and the double would be awkward. My son and I watched a sit and switch with a single blade fly down the lake and commenting that is the way it is supposed to go. |
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Blatz |
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Whatsit |
quote Blatz: "Whatsit. How many people can say they quit a Bagpipe band? " :0) I'm sure not many people. |
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RetiredDave |
But I think we should make a rule. Either we allow kayak paddles or not. Everybody has to agree and if you are caught breaking the rule you are out! Whatever that means. Dave |
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Jaywalker |
If I mount oar locks on my canoe, sit backwards and use the oars to cruise about, would you say I am canoeing or rowing? If I put a trolling motor on my canoe and cruise about all day, would you say I am canoeing or trolling? If I rig a sail up on my canoe and harness the wind all day, am I canoeing or sailing? So if you deploy a double blade, is it not more accurate to say you are kayaking with a canoe than canoeing with a kayak paddle?? Is it not the propulsion that more accurately defines the activity? :-) |
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jeepgirl |
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Frenchy19 |
quote boonie: "After college comes the wedding . . ." But I am a new age man, and I encourage the dude to pay the whole damn thing! |
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Whatsit |
That was really nice, but now having a daughter I sure would love to give her the wedding she wants. Some things are worth seeing your little girl so happy Mike |
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Whatsit |
quote Jaywalker: "Ponder this, kayak paddle users: The definition of the word "canoe" is "a narrow, keelless boat with pointed ends, propelled by a paddle or paddles." The definition of the word "paddle" is "a short pole with a broad blade at one or both ends, used without an oarlock to move a small boat or canoe through the water." So I think it's safe to say using a double bladed paddle is canoeing. Mike |
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Blatz |
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housty9 |
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Whatsit |
quote housty9: "Does it really matter what you paddle with as long as your comfortable doing it and having fun, I don't think so, enjoy paddling how ever you do it." Yes! Well said. None of us our making a career out of canoning when we go to the bwca. We are going to have fun and enjoy ourselves. I could tell you the countless times I have seen people not knowing how to paddle while they were in a canoe, but they were having a blast. Sometimes what difference does it make. That's why I left the bagpipe band. It was meant to be a bunch of guys having fun, but in no time we couldn't do this or that and I and a few others threw up our arms and said we are done. Same with hunting with my brother. Everything had to be just so. I don't do it anymore. Life sure must be boring for those that have to have everything only one way. Mike |
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Frenchy19 |
I have used a yak soloing, and I liked it, but the one I have is pretty heavy. I just cannot bring myself to buy a more expensive, lighter one. I have a bent Zav that I love, and if I am going to invest another 3 bills or so, it will probably be for a straight Zav. RIght now, I just do not have the money with 2 girls in college and another starting next year. |
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Wally13 |
I hear you about being in the poor house with 2 girls in college. I put 3 girls through college and the last one graduated 4 years ago. I am just now getting above water. Worth it for sure but college expenses will certainly affect your purchase of new camping and paddling accessories. |
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Wally13 |
Yep, forgot middle daughters wedding 5 years ago. YIKES ... how could I have forgotten. I got to be like Frenchy19 and become "NEW AGE MAN " for the next 2 weddings coming up. LOL |
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boonie |
We finally got the second one paid off a few years ago. Offer them money to elope; it'll be cheaper in the long run and a lot less trouble! :). |
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Whatsit |
quote Frenchy19: "The humor in this thread is good...thanks. Dr. Head-of-the Butt! I found a 90 inch one on the clearance rack at Walmart for $9. Hopefully it will be ok |
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boonie |
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Whatsit |
Thanks again Mike |
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muddyfeet |
quote awbrown: "They are particularly useful for straight line lake paddling and dealing with wind. Huh, I had the opposite experience- found the double blade to be much more difficult in wind. Paddle your own boat, I guess :) ..On that note, I have always wondered what a retractable skeg would do for a solo canoe battling wind. |
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Wheeldog |
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Blatz |
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Whatsit |
Do any of you use a kayak paddle when you are solo canoeing? Just wondering. If you do, what are the benefits and what are the draw backs? Thanks Mike |
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awbrown |
The biggest disadvantage is that you're going to get wet. Water will run down the handle and drip off the blade onto your hands and into your canoe. Carry a spare regular paddle and you can switch when the need arises. |
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anthonyp007 |
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Wally13 |
I agree with you on most things on this forum but I must agree to disagree with you on using a yak while soloing. ?? |
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housty9 |
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butthead |
quote Wally13: "Butthead LOL. I like my Zav 14 degree bent paddle a lot but when soloing my Magic my 230 cm yak is the "cat's meow". You my friend, need help! Fortunately the doctor is in. butthead |