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santacruz
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6 foot, paddled a prism for 40 years with a single blade, retired on a lake last year, bought a 260 double blade, game changer.
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AmarilloJim
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260
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OldScout48
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I'm with group that says longer is better. I would say 250 cm to 260 cm.
I remember picking up a center extention section, but never felt I need to add it to 250 cm paddle.
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Erk
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As a long time sea and whitewater kayaker, your height doesn’t have the biggest role in your paddle length as we might’ve thought. We’re all relatively close when we sit next to each other. Look at your boat width and how you’re going to paddle, high angle or low angle. Also, take a look at some kayak fishing paddles, they’re usually adjustable in length by a few centimeters. I know that Aquabound/Bending Branches did that at some point. Solo canoes aren’t typically wide, but go longer with a low angle blade and shorter with a high angle blade. My sea kayak paddle is a 220, and the boat is 21” wide for example and if it matters, I’m 5’8”
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jillpine
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Hi Taco,
Interesting notes from SHC! I never whitewater kayaked so I have no historical technique like she does.
Last paddling season, I purchased a bending branches slice hybrid with telescoping ferrule. Carbon shaft and fiberglass blades. 30oz. It telescopes to 240 cm and I never use it less than that in my canoe. I do telescope it way down in my kayak, which is 24” across.
I’m 5’3” - 5"4". I paddle a Northstar trillium so about two inches less width than your canoe.
Zero kickback here about double or single. I take both, love both. But in wind and wide crossings, I’m grateful Boonie talked me into a double blade.
Maybe he’ll chime in here with some thoughts.
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bhouse46
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I am 5'10" and paddle a Magic using a 240 bent shaft double blade. Sometimes I wish it were a bit longer for low angle paddling and reduce dripping on my feet but would miss the high angle paddle option when I want some torque.
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WaveRunner
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I am 5‘10“ and paddle a Magic. I use a 250 cm Aqua Bound Stingray carbon straight shaft double blade paddle. It works great and I get virtually no drips in the boat. In deciding on the length of the paddle for the Magic, I was able to take my much shorter traditional double blade kayak paddle (that I use with my kayak) and inserted a wooden dowel between the two shaft pieces. This allowed me to adjust the length in order to determine which paddle length would be right for me. Ideally, I may have gone with A 255 cm paddle but that would have been a custom build and much more expensive. I found it very helpful to be able to test various lengths and was surprised at how much difference the length of the paddle made.
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MossBack
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260 Werner Kaliste (Spelling?)
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straighthairedcurly
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It will depend on your paddling style. If your upper hand comes above your eye, then you will go shorter than what most people will be recommending to you. If your upper hand stays below your eye, go for the longer length most people will recommend. The lower hand seems to be the more common style.
I use a 210 or 220 because I bring my hand up high, probably due to all my whitewater kayak training. I am 5'7".
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Chicagored
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I have a solo prism and have used a double paddle for years. I am 5 foot 8. I have been using a 240 paddle all along but felt like it was a little short. Last week at Canoecopia, I splurged on a 260 bending branches carbon pro angler. I've got high hopes. My strongest advice is going with the lightest paddle you can afford. It makes a difference.
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dschult2
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I am your height and paddle a Swift Prospector 14 which is slightly wider than your boat. I use a Werner Camano 240 Carbon. I have used a 250 and felt it was too long. Actually the size chart for Werner suggest a 230 for you but I feel like that would be too short.
Werner Camano
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cyclones30
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Yeah, depends on your stroke angle. I tend to be a higher angle paddler and don't need quite the length as "recommended" but if my shoulder is giving me issues I go a lot lower angle to reduce the strain and at times wish I had a bit more length
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TacoOverland
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Erk: "As a long time sea and whitewater kayaker, your height doesn’t have the biggest role in your paddle length as we might’ve thought. We’re all relatively close when we sit next to each other. Look at your boat width and how you’re going to paddle, high angle or low angle. Also, take a look at some kayak fishing paddles, they’re usually adjustable in length by a few centimeters. I know that Aquabound/Bending Branches did that at some point. Solo canoes aren’t typically wide, but go longer with a low angle blade and shorter with a high angle blade. My sea kayak paddle is a 220, and the boat is 21” wide for example and if it matters, I’m 5’8” "
I actually ended up going with a Bending Branches Angler Pro Plus 240-255cm. I’m looking forward to getting it wet!
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dschult2
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TacoOverland: "Erk: "As a long time sea and whitewater kayaker, your height doesn’t have the biggest role in your paddle length as we might’ve thought. We’re all relatively close when we sit next to each other. Look at your boat width and how you’re going to paddle, high angle or low angle. Also, take a look at some kayak fishing paddles, they’re usually adjustable in length by a few centimeters. I know that Aquabound/Bending Branches did that at some point. Solo canoes aren’t typically wide, but go longer with a low angle blade and shorter with a high angle blade. My sea kayak paddle is a 220, and the boat is 21” wide for example and if it matters, I’m 5’8” "
I actually ended up going with a Bending Branches Angler Pro Plus 240-255cm. I’m looking forward to getting it wet!"
That looks like a decent paddle for sure. I think you'll be happy with it.
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jhb8426
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Paddle a Bell Magic with a 280 cm BB Slice Glass Solo. Works well for me.
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Blatz
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My Werner Ovation is 250 I'm 5'9" I've paddled it in a NW Solo and an Advantage
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Hoaf
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I paddle a Magic and use a Bending Branches Navigator - 260cm - which is a custom length they made for me. Great paddle; wood blades flex ever so slightly and help noticeably vs. stiffer carbon blades IMO.
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Me2012
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5’11 and use a 260
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QuietSolo
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TacoOverland: "Not looking to start a conversation on the merits of double bladed vs single blade paddling but would like help selecting the correct length double bladed paddle. I paddle a Northwind Solo from the seated position and am 5’6” tall. Thanks!"
Based on my research and 7 years of solo paddling a Northwind solo, 260 cm.
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TacoOverland
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Not looking to start a conversation on the merits of double bladed vs single blade paddling but would like help selecting the correct length double bladed paddle. I paddle a Northwind Solo from the seated position and am 5’6” tall. Thanks!
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