Recent content by tketcham

For me, the big drawback to double-blade paddles (and why I'm hesitant to use them) is the awkward bulkiness of storing the paddle in the canoe whenever I switched to the single-blade. Sure, you can get two-piece paddles but that's equally kludgy. I tried a double with my Clipper Sea-1 for a...

Was out paddling in a Jensen 18, which is a pretty fast canoe, and a friend was in a Northwind Solo and kept up with us quite easily. He was using a double-blade paddle. Despite the negativity associated with that combination, it does work well, especially against a brisk wind.

I was out paddling bow in a Jensen 18 the other day. It's a good canoe for day paddling at speed. Doesn't turn on a dime but will come around with a bit of heel and an axle or post. We were out in a pretty stiff wind and small white caps but it did fine. I does like to cut through waves so can...

That'll teach 'em... 😄

I've been thinking lately that I should buy a double-blade paddle and use it with our Swift Prospector 13 at a popular local lake, occasionally switching between the single-blade and the double-blade just so people can see that canoes can be paddled either way. It'd be even better if I learn to...

Enjoyed the account of your trip and I like your sense of humor... "Never liked the bottom of my canoe anyway." :D

We canoeists should keep in mind that the potential market for new recruits realistically doesn't include the buyers of $300 'yaks from the chain stores. It's the Pungo kayakers that show an interest in our canoes at the put-in. It's the first time or returning buyers of watercraft that have...

I think a solo like the Swift Prospector 13 but with lower stems would make a good option for people looking for an alternative to a rec kayak. It's pretty stable for its 30" max width but is still a fun lively canoe. Not going to set speed records but it'll get you there. It would be...

I was reminded of that yesterday. I'd just returned from a six mile "workout" in my fast cruiser and there was a couple launching short rec kayaks at the take out. They were watching me as I lifted the carbon solo onto my shoulder and said "That must be pretty light. What's it weigh?" I told...

Doh!!!! Still, they are good instructional videos to watch. ;)

If the right solo canoe was offered to a potential canoe paddler, something like a sport canoe that instilled confidence and yet was decently nimble, I think there'd be a lot more canoeists out there. An entry-level canoe wouldn't be ultra-light but neither would it scare you off when you looked...

I got my copy of the video series here... https://freestylecanoeing.com/instructional-video/

I think the idea of promoting solo canoes to new canoeists is a good one. Solo canoeing is more intuitive, and I think easier than tandem and a double-blade can make it easier as well as faster to learn to paddle single-blade, as Neophyte said. And I've seen kids get into a lively solo canoe...

The price of new quality canoes can seem ridiculous to many people, mainly because they don't understand what goes into building a canoe and aren't taking into account the reality of inflation. And I think the fact that a quality canoe can last for many decades is lost in the initial price...

I noticed you were spending quite a bit of time in those fast cruisers. They are a lot of fun to paddle at speed and exciting if you get into some wind and waves. Have fun!