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



Railtramp wrote:
Wm Watt wrote:
Andrew is right, but it takes more out of you. You can go faster in a
canoe with a double bladed paddle. It allows you expend more energy in
a shorter time. A paddler in good condition can generate about 1/20th
horse power over long distances, more in sprints. Canoes are not as
hydrodynamically efficient hulls as kayaks.


And Riverman wrote:


Well, there is a certain erosion of style in using a double-bladed paddle in
a canoe. Not that there is explicitly any rule stating that canoes must be
paddled with a single blade, but that creeping change is on the same road
that eventually leads to using a motor. so who's to say where the line gets
drawn? For me, I only use a single blade, solo or tandem, because I feel
cheap if I use a double. Thats the big disadvantage, and AFAIC, it outweighs
any advantages. YMMV

--riverman

The last couple of weeks I have been playing around using a kayak
paddle as the stern paddler in a tandem 18+ foot canoe. The
difference is quite noticable as long as the wind is not a factor. I
imagine a solo boat would be like an Inflatable Kayak, but with much
better performance. (No solo canoe yet).

I have been taking two paddles, one a standard canoe paddle and the
other a break apart kayak paddle that I can fit with a T handle
extension. Right now I just switch paddles. Unless experience proves
different, that will be the final choice as well. Taking the T handle
gives me a backup paddle if I need it.

I can understand the "cheapening" of the experience. But if it is not
a birch bark canoe with a hand carved paddle, then I am already on that
slipperly slope. Materials and methods change. I have the advantage
of feeling less cheapend since I do not have a long history with a
canoe. (I have always taken the IK).

Blakely
---
Blakely LaCroix
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

"The best adventure is yet to come"

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"