Kayak paddle length for wider canoe

[RTowner]

Looking for advice. I have an Old Town Discovery 133. It’s a bit over 40 inches wide at center. If I solo from the front seat facing backwards…wondering what length kayak paddle I would need? I’m about 5’10”. Unfortunately I don’t really have the opportunity to go out and try different lengths.

Appreciate any input!
Ryan

 

[wjmc]

Some guidance here:

How to Size a Solo Canoe Paddle

Many canoeists enjoy the solitude and challenge of solo canoeing. If that’s you, and you want to know how to size a solo canoe paddle, you’re in the right place.

www.bendingbranches.com

At 5'8" with canoe widths 29-32" I like my 260 cm paddle. You might want to go a little longer.

My paddle is a Bending Branches "Slice" - they don't seem to make it any more, but it is very similar to the "Angler Classic" listed in their Fishing Kayak selection.

 

[Tryin']

40"?! Dang.

I have two 280cm paddles, BB Angler Ace and BB Impression Solo. Great for a wide-beam Prospector and an OT Tripper. Little long for the 27" Encounter, but not bad.

I paddle low angle with a double, as i value a dry lap over efficiency/speed. Long shafts are the key to low-angle comfort. You can go shorter with high angle. 230-240cm seems common.

Angler Ace Snap-Button

Updated for 2023! The best overall value in kayak fishing paddles, the Ace combines the weight savings of a carbon shaft with the most durable blades available. New for 2023: Redefined, stronger blade. The new blade shape provides a smoother forward stroke with less chances for flutter, stiffer...

www.bendingbranches.com

Impression Solo

The natural progression from a single blade to double blades is made easier with the beauty and buoyancy of the Impression Solo. Perfect paddle for the lone canoeist looking to eliminate corrective strokes and the need to switch side to side whether in ideal conditions or windy conditions Solid...

www.bendingbranches.com

 

[BWCA66]

I bought an Oceanbroad adjustable that can be 240, 250 0r 260. I like it because I have a couple of different canoes I paddle solo.

 

[BigandSmall]

My solo canoe is 32" at it's widest with a fair bit of tumblehome. I'm just under 6'2. At first I though 260cm was good but after spending some time using a high angle lightweight 250cm I got used to it. My spare is also high angle and adjustable 240-260cm. Playing around 255cm feels pretty nice were I ever to order a custom fixed length. You did say any input so I shared this even if it's not super relevant.

 

[RTowner]

I bought an Oceanbroad adjustable that can be 240, 250 0r 260. I like it because I have a couple of different canoes I paddle solo.

Thank you. I see these on Amazon as the price is pretty low. Would you say the overall quality is good? I like the idea of adjustable to see what I prefer most. I’ve held carbon paddles that are so nice and light, but I don’t want to commit before being certain of the length I’ll need.

 

[Black_Fly]

First of all, a double canoe paddle is NOT a kayak paddle. Canoe paddles are longer. You’d be miserable using a 260-280cm paddle in most yaks. A big sit on top fishing yak might be the exception. Mostly, you could use a kayak paddle in a small canoe but not a double canoe paddle in a kayak. The yak seat would be too low, too narrow.

My wife made the mistake of bringing a 230cm yak paddle for our last lake trip. Poor girl was working herself to death, couldn’t keep up until I lent her my 260 (I was using the Badgertail). She won’t load the wrong one again.

Where you sit in the canoe makes a difference, as do the seat heights and your physical attributes (in addition to the canoe’s width).

The water you’re paddling can make a difference too. Narrow, intimate, or fast streams could require a shorter paddle. Experimentation is your friend. My wife is 5-5 and uses a 250 in a solo canoe on a fast stream but a 260 on the lake. I’m 5-9 and take a 260 for windy lakes also.

Basically, you need to experiment. Start with a 250-260, go up to a 280 if there’s too much drippage, or you feel too much like a wind mill. Good luck!

 

[Gamma1214]

First of all, a double canoe paddle is NOT a kayak paddle.

Ah, but they are... making a yak paddle longer makes it easier to use in a canoe but it's still just a long yak paddle. Not that I'm judging... using a kayak paddle in a canoe is certainly better than not getting out at all.

(lipstick your pig all you like... it's not my pig)

 

[tketcham]

First of all, a double canoe paddle is NOT a kayak paddle. Canoe paddles are longer. You’d be miserable using a 260-280cm paddle in most yaks.

That's an awfully broad statement with a narrow threshold between the two. Call it what you like but a double-blade paddle is a double-blade paddle regardless of length or blade shape. This thread has a lengthy discussion but no clear consensus. It's like trying to break out two broad categories of single-blade paddles based on length alone.