If you are a purist in a "regular canoe" you would use the j-stroke .
As a long time paddler and a new OC1 and OC 6 paddler, the j-stoke is
very efficient[if you know how to do it properly] even if you are in
the bow seat turned around (it is not good if the canoe you are in is
wide and sharply sheared where you are sitting). That also assumes that
you are paddling at 20-30 strokes per minute or less. If you are
wailing away at 50 + there is no way you can stay on one side.

On the other hand I have also used a kayak paddle in a canoe and while
it feels a little funny it's fun. Not real efficient because of the the
height so the suggestin to sit in the bottom of the canoe is a good
one. I like the suggestion of taking both kinds as long as you have a
kayak paddle that splits...



Bubba wrote:
All of my paddling experience has been with single paddles in a tandem
canoe. In a few weeks I'll be spending quite a lot of time in a solo canoe
(a Prism) in touring mode. Is there any advantage in using a double paddle?
Disadvantage?