SourcetoSea wrote:
When we paddled the Mississippi River last year, I went back and forth
with taking a kayak paddle. After having spent 73 days on the river,
I'me glad we bagged the idea - the wind wouldn't have made it all that
practical for the most part.

I have paddled with a kayak paddle several times, and did notice our
pace picked up by about .5-1 mph in calm conditions. Overall, it's not
all that worth it to me, and the difference between a 12 oz bent shaft
and 26 oz double is noticable over the course of 10 hours.

In something like a Rob Roy, a double is the way to go. I'm not so sure
about a traditional canoe though.

-John
www.sourcetosea.net

Good points. Wind and weight are very important factors. The power
boost from a double blade is alluring, but one does tire more quickly.
I can well appreciate the signficance of extra weight in repetitive
motion. And wind is always a factor. More curses have been uttered
over the wind than anything else on a trip.

I will take the kayak paddle on an upcoming trip - just to try.
Independant of the technical issues, there is the comfort factor. I am
new to the canoe and a single blade. I am starting at the humble
bottom of the skill set.

I come to the canoe late. I have always regarded it as the top of the
hierarchy - like good black and white photography. So Riverman, I am
not yet so far down the slippery slope that I can not redeem myself.


Blakely
---
Blakely LaCroix
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

"The best adventure is yet to come"