Kathy D'Errico wrote:
I have a 16 foot hybrid canoe that I can use solo or tandem. It
really takes a lot of work paddling solo and I was wondering if
a kayak paddle would work better for me? or what would better than
the traditional lightweight paddle?

Kathy:

This was discussed a bit in an earlier thread this in group.
Some took issue with the asthetics of this, others offered
discussion on the relative merits. My experience will only
add more fuel to the fire.

I just returned from a BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness along the Minnesota/Canadian border - for the
international readers) trip where I carried both a double bladed
kayak paddle and a conventional canoe paddle.

We operated in two modes. In both modes, I was in the stern
and my wife was in the bow.

The first mode I used the traditional paddles and steered from
the stern. In the second mode we swapped roles. I used the
kayak paddle in the stern and my wife paddled/steered from
the from the bow.

First, let me preface this by saying, I love to row. On a raft trip
I will face downstream for 95+ % of the time and just swing my
oars all day. I never really seem to get excessively tired from it.
The same thing seems true when I run a double bladed paddle
in my inflatable kayaks. The IK's are not super low drag, but
again, I seem to be able to swing the blades all day.

Second, I am a complete canoe novice - this being our first
real outing. If different muscle sets are involved in using a
canoe paddle, then for certain, these were not as developed
as those used for rowing/portagee or kayaking.

Third, the kayak paddle used in this test was an old Carlisle
break apart unit that I usually let rookie paddlers use in the
IK. It is heavy, but did provide a mechanism for breaking
apart into two canoe paddles - thus securing us spares
if we needed them.

Fourth: The Canoe was a Wenonah Minnesota II. (18.5 ft)

So early in the trip, I swapped between the canoe paddle
and the kayak paddle about 50% of the time. Perhaps
because I was better at it, I preferred the kayak paddle.

The canoe paddle worked better in the small rivers and
was less likely to catch "Salad" in the weeds. But as
the trip progressed, I found myself using the kayak
paddle exclusively.

I really appreciated it in power situations like open water
crossing of bays in the wind. I was like giving us an
extra paddler. Also apparent was additional stability
from having a blade in the water nearly all of the time
and on both sides. This combined with my ability
to swing the blade continuously really pushed us
across the water.

This approach served us both well. We both really
enjoyed the trip and look forward to our next outing.
I consider myself fortunate that my spouse is willing
to be seen in such an unconventional setting. But it
works for us. And quite well too!

Blakely
---
Blakely LaCroix
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

"The best adventure is yet to come"