Took Taylor (Swift Prospector 14) to the Beach

First time paddling my Swifty P14. Took her to a lake as I didn’t know how my shoulder would respond, and a 3 hour river run seems risky. Despite some wind and no footbrace, I was able to play around. She did fine without any ballast. I’ll keep a jug onboard but moving my pack around seemed to suffice. Don’t know when I’ll try putting a 55 lb hound up front but that too will start at the lake.

The 260cm double blade and the ZRE wilderness were perfect lengths. The double is only color coordinated with the canoe by accident…swear.

I sometimes use a water jug, for trimming my canoe, when I take my solo out for a day paddle.
I'll have to take another look at the ZRE website. I had no idea they were making paddles like that now.
Looks awful long to me, but I tend to go shorter than most in my club.
Wish my lake had a nice sandy beach like that.

Dup

IS - I think you’re looking at the AB double. ZRE WW is 49-1/2”. It felt a tad short in the bigger boat.

I love naming my gear after famous people too! Sometimes I bring Molly (Hatchet), Cyndi (Lopper) or Kate (Bush...saw).

Black_Fly said:

IS - I think you’re looking at the AB double. ZRE WW is 49-1/2”. It felt a tad short in the bigger boat.

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Ah. That's what happens when you get online right after waking up. Being 70 doesn't help either .
I'm glad to see more and more people using a double blade. There are problems with it, most notably water in the boat, but so easy to paddle in a straight line. I first started experimenting with it in the mid 1990s.

I haven't yet been been comfortable with the water in the boat issue. I've only tried a double blade briefly, it was a 240, which is all the outfitter had for renting; I'm willing to try a 260, but wary so far. Added that for the time I tried it, I wasn't noticing any significant improvement over my single blade.

I'm just noting as my personal experience to date, and not questioning the validity of the advantages most folks appreciate with a double.

Stillwater's said:

I haven't yet been been comfortable with the water in the boat issue. I've only tried a double blade briefly, it was a 240, which is all the outfitter had for renting; I'm willing to try a 260, but wary so far. Added that for the time I tried it, I wasn't noticing any significant improvement over my single blade.

I'm just noting as my personal experience to date, and not questioning the validity of the advantages most folks appreciate with a double.

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If you are good with a single blade, the difference isn't that great. I found that out on a recent day trip with my club.
And it sounds like you aren't that experienced with a double blade, which would make the difference even less.
Having said that, I am certain that most people in a tripping canoe, having equal skill with both types of paddles, will cover ground more quickly with a double blade and find it easier to keep the canoe going straight. I can just about keep a canoe going straight, with a double blade, with my eyes closed. It becomes second nature.
Some do use a really long shaft to keep water out, but it is less efficient, kind of negating one of the benefits of the double blade. With a low angle blade, I'm generally in the 230 cm ballpark.
I've found, that, as my fitness and stroke rate increases, less and less water ends up in the boat because it is flung off the blade.
This is enhanced with smaller blade areas.
I also think that expensive paddles with foam core blades, that don't have a stiffening spine, lift less water.

I noticed much less stress on my shoulder when paddling single blade on the right side, drawing with my “good arm.” The left side was painful, too much stress. The double blade was less painful, allowed me to paddle into the wind. I did get pretty sore afterward, but everything does that. The single blade was definitely more painful and dangerous under load.

Doesn’t look like my iceout trip is doable. Maybe a couple days on small water would be possible, no portaging, no big crossings.

Stillwater's said:

I haven't yet been been comfortable with the water in the boat issue. I've only tried a double blade briefly, it was a 240, which is all the outfitter had for renting; I'm willing to try a 260, but wary so far. Added that for the time I tried it, I wasn't noticing any significant improvement over my single blade.

I'm just noting as my personal experience to date, and not questioning the validity of the advantages most folks appreciate with a double.

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Try a 260 or 280 on open water. The low angle will keep you dry and increase stroke efficiency. Of course, a lot depends on the canoe’s hull design.

When I had my Placidboat Spitfire I used a 230 cm paddle, but when I went to my Northstar Trillium the 230 was too short and compromised speed. Switched to a 250 cm paddle and the speed returned. Wondering if a 260 cm would have given me more speed?

I just measured my paddles to make sure about the lengths.
My Werner Skagit, which is what I use most of the time, when I'm paddling by myself, is a 240.
I even use that with my inflatable.
I have a 230 cm Camano, which I bought mostly for my touring kayak, but I also use it in my Northwind solo.
Any longer than that and I'm losing efficiency. I prefer a low angle blade, but I'd say my paddling style borders on high angle.
I have a lot of paddles, but there is a limit to how many I can afford, so some do double duty. Until I win the lottery, that' s just how it's got to be.