Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Double blade for a Prism?
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Marten |
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ZaraSp00k |
everyone is different |
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Wally13 |
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. |
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bhouse46 |
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. |
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nojobro |
I'm short: 5'3" |
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onepaddleshort |
quote nojobro: "I'm using a prism on my solo this summer. Do you recommend a double blade over a single? 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. |
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nojobro |
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onepaddleshort |
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Blatz |
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onepaddleshort |
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MagicPaddler |
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jcavenagh |
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 |
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onepaddleshort |
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? |
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bhouse46 |
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Exo |
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... |
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yellowcanoe |
quote Exo: "I "rented" a double-blade during a solo (outfitter just gave it as part of package/asked for feedback.) 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. |
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plumbbob |
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bhouse46 |
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sueb2b |
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. |
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jcavenagh |
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. |
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mjmkjun |
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. |
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bhouse46 |
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. |
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Blatz |
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onepaddleshort |
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boonie |
quote nojobro: "I'm using a prism on my solo this summer. Do you recommend a double blade over a single? 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. |