Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Best paddle for solo trip
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paddlinjoe |
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Tony |
I also have an ottertail that I use tandam but mostly for deep lakes. tony |
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Whatsit |
Mike |
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Frenchy19 |
quote Whatsit: "quote Frenchy19: "Thinking of making an ottertail at a local canoe building outfit." Agree. Local place in St. Paul called Urban Boat builders. $99 for the class which is 2.5 hours one evening and the 6 hours on a Saturday. Pretty reasonable price, I think. 1/17 and 1/21 are the dates of my class, and I am quite excited! |
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gymcoachdon |
On a side note, Piragis gives out very nice equipment. CCS tarp, and offered me a carbon paddle. I took wood, because I was afraid I might damage the carbon fiber. The last outfitter we used gave a heavy urethane type tarp, and HEAVY metal/plastic paddles. I was glad I had my own equipment to use, the others on the trip didn't know any better. |
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HighnDry |
quote boonie: "Personally, I use a double blade for soloing, but carry a straight as a spare paddle, which also sees use for maneuvering and tight spaces. You do plan to strap a spare in your canoe, don't you? As jaywalker said, preferences vary quite a bit among soloists." +1. This is my system as well but it took me several seasons to sort out what worked best. |
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Whatsit |
quote HighnDry: "quote boonie: "Personally, I use a double blade for soloing, but carry a straight as a spare paddle, which also sees use for maneuvering and tight spaces. You do plan to strap a spare in your canoe, don't you? As jaywalker said, preferences vary quite a bit among soloists." I've never tried a double blade paddle. That's a benifit of using a bigger outfitter I guess. But I like the outfitter I currently use. They are good people and I figure as long as these guys and others like them are around there will never be a monopoly in ely. Mike |
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Whatsit |
Mike |
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Whatsit |
I was wondering what type of paddle most of you use when soloing? Meaning a wide blade, ottertail, beavertail, bent shaft? Just wondering. I've been reading some books about soloing and many people soloing seems to recommend more of an ottertail paddle. I can't even find one for sale. Thanks Mike |
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boonie |
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butthead |
I've gone to ZRE, short paddles, 14 degree 8 inch Z Lite 48 inch, straight shaft Z Lite 50 inch 8 1/2 inch wide. The choice is yours and your preferences will change over time, as I like to recommend, try a bunch, then think it over. butthead |
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Frenchy19 |
My paddle of preference now is a Zaveral bent shaft. I have a Sanborn that I bring along as a backup, but it is like paddling with a block of cement after using the carbon Zav. Thinking of making an ottertail at a local canoe building outfit. |
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Jaywalker |
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Whatsit |
quote boonie: "Personally, I use a double blade for soloing, but carry a straight as a spare paddle, which also sees use for maneuvering and tight spaces. You do plan to strap a spare in your canoe, don't you? As jaywalker said, preferences vary quite a bit among soloists." I was planning on taking my bentshft paddle. I'm renting a solo canoe from an outfitter and they will lend me a straight paddle with the canoe, so yes I plan on bringing two paddles. I've been experimenting with my bentshaft for solo canoeing and really like it. Thanks Boonie Mike |
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Whatsit |
quote Jaywalker: "Opinions vary quite a bit on this. I've mostly stuck with a straight shaft paddle but plan to try some others this year and am interested in getting an ottertail for bigger water. The guy that carved my yoke also makes paddles and ships, and with the exchange rates it might be a deal. Tealpaddles.com " I sent the place an email requesting pricing for shipping. A 51 inch birch ottertail paddle is $40 Canadian. Which is currently $29 USD. So if shipping is reasonable that would be a nice deal. Thanks Mike |
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Whatsit |
quote butthead: "Yup lots of personal choices. I tried yak double blades, long and short don't like them. Beaver and ottertail feel too long in my hands paddling my Advantage. Thanks Butthead! I have used a straight shaft for a long time, but when I bought my bent shaft paddle this fall and tried it I really liked it. But towards the end of November I tried it and for what ever the reason didn't feel the same to me. I'm planning on going out today with my wife. I'm using the bent shart again. Hopefully it will be ok. My canoe came with two ore/paddles that are very close to ottertail paddles but they are both so long. Good to know you tried them and weren't overly excited about them. Mike |
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Whatsit |
quote Frenchy19: "Thinking of making an ottertail at a local canoe building outfit." Lucky o live in a spot that would offer such a thing |
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MacCamper |
Mac |
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Jaywalker |
quote Whatsit: "I sent the place an email requesting pricing for shipping. A 51 inch birch ottertail paddle is $40 Canadian. Which is currently $29 USD. So if shipping is reasonable that would be a nice deal. Thanks When I checked a few months back, they weren't too quick at getting back, but they told me it was about 40CD to ship a paddle to me in Minneapolis. I am no expert, but double check your paddle size. Perhaps someone else can help here, but aren't otter tails suppose to be a bit longer? |
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Whatsit |
quote Jaywalker: "quote Whatsit: "I sent the place an email requesting pricing for shipping. A 51 inch birch ottertail paddle is $40 Canadian. Which is currently $29 USD. So if shipping is reasonable that would be a nice deal. Thanks Funny you'd say that about the length. I thought the same after I posted the length to him. If anyone has any advise on this, that would be great |
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NotSoFast |
1. Your questions have started some really good threads during the past few weeks. Thank you for that. 2. I use a bent shaft as my main solo paddle, straight shaft as back-up. After many years of not needing the back-up, I used it in October when about half of my primary paddle's blade de-laminated and broke off. The back-up is an inexpensive, plastic-and-aluminum thing that's super sturdy, can be used to prop up my tarp, and just happens to have the perfect weight to balance my solo canoe in portage mode. Dave |
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Whatsit |
quote NotSoFast: "Whatsit, two things: Thanks Dave :-) I really appreciate that. Yes, my back up will be the same sort of paddle. I as of this point in the game figure I'll be taking my bent shaft paddle as my main paddle. I can't wait. This site is so good. What a great group of people. Thanks all Mike |
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ducks |
quote NotSoFast: "Whatsit, two things: +1 on that!!!!!! I've only done 3 solos so I'm definitely still in novice stage on solo paddling. I brought my bent shaft as my backup and got a double blade w/ the canoe I rent from the outfitter. I can cover more ground using the double blade but enjoy paddling with my bent shaft more....... Last solo I thought about using the bent and taking a straight from the outfitter as my backup but brought the double instead. On travel days I used the double because I knew I'd cover more ground but wish I would have used my bent shaft and started wishing I didn't bring the double at all. BUT then on my second to last day while out exploring the wind kicked up during the middle of the day and I was really glad that I had a double blade. For my solo trip this year I want to be more disciplined and use my bent shaft and keep the double strapped in the canoe as my back up and only use it for windy conditions so I can get better at solo paddling with a single blade paddle. |
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Whatsit |
quote ducks: "+1 on that!!!!!! Thanks Ducks! I figure my back up will be the cheep aluminum/plastic paddle they supply with the canoe at the Outfitters. I'll use my bentshaft paddle most the time. Once I get the canoe going, I usually can move pretty fast with my bentshaft. Mike |
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nctry |
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