Thoughts on double bladed paddles from a somewhat experienced double blader.

Bob B. said:

Yup … it is out there Martin. Hi, my name is Bob … and I use a Double Paddle.

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You're fine. You recognize the fundamental superiority of the single blade but were forced into DB usage against your will. I'm OK with that.

This evening Im going to meet up with the long boat yakers and do the 6 mi around Hobbs Island on the Tenn River. We'll see just how good a pace I can keep in the Echo with the DB vs the Beavertail vs my old Dagger composite single blade. There should be some 5-10mph wind and some slight deep water current to contend with. Its gonna be a workout keeping pace, or at least in sight off those touring yaks but it will give me an idea if I really want to try anything more extended with this boat on the large impoundments.

The Echo did surprisingly well keeping up with the sea kayaks. A bit of big river current in one direction and 5-10mph headwind to contend with in the other. I did have to work, while the 17' yaks kinda lollygagged along in no real hurry. Took an even 2 hrs to complete the 6mi loop around the island. They could have left me in he dust if they tried. Basically because the little rockered 14 foot canoe has aprox zero glide, lol. The DB came in real handy, used it practically the whole time. Not the best boat for the conditions but it can be done.

Perfect example of reasonable DB use in my book. Some here will claim they can keep up with any kayak with a single blade. I'm not one of em. I'm getting faster and faster with a single but I'm faster still with a double. If I'm out to lily dip I always chose single. If I need to get somewhere I bring and use both.

Interesting (to me) tidbit: I was on a weeklong trip in Bowron Lakes back in the 80s with my 16' Wenonah WWC1 (fast but deep--sit and switch). My partner was in an 18'6 solo kayak, which he had used on a 30 day solo kayak trip in Alaska. A couple of days into the trip, he was frustrated that I had kept up with him. So, for jollies, we did a sprint with loaded boats. It was a tie. I find comparisons between double and single blades amusing. I'm an ex-WW kayaker, and ex-marathon canoeist, and own a fairly decent 16' touring kayak. I paddle my kayak with a double blade, and my canoes with a single bent (or straight if there's whitewater). If I had a pack canoe (not a PakCanoe, which is an elephant of a different color, and in which I spend most of my paddle time), I'd delight in using a double blade for which it was designed.

The Echo isn't a "pack canoe" in the modern sense. It's 14' and has a normal hung seat and no footbraces or anything. But it's on the light side for its materials(T Formax Lite)at 40lbs, and is relatively narrow because of its tumblehome, so a DB works pretty well. I did get wet though, and collected 1/8"-1/4" of water under the seat over the 2 hrs. Not a big deal but in cold weather that would annoy me. If Im gonna suffer DB drip in cold weather Id rather be in a kayak w/a good paddling top & pants and neoprene skirt. I'll def have to suit up in paddling jacket and pants if I want to use the DB come winter.