On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 19:27:13 GMT, Richard Ferguson
wrote:

My limited experience suggests that a kayak paddle is more efficient for
a solo paddler

I wonder if that's true. Consider this: Using a kayak paddle, each
stroke wastes a certain amount of energy in trying to make the boat
turn towards the opposite side.

The same is true of the single-blade canoe paddle.

There are two ways to correct the steering effect: (1) use
alternate-side strokes: left, right, left, right, etc. Or (2) Correct
the steering effect during the stroke, e.g., by using the J-stroke.

So the question most pertinant to the efficiency of double-blade
paddles vs. single-blade paddles may be: Which of the above two forms
of steering correction expents the least energy? Can anyone answer
that one?

Al D

Al D