Single or Double Blade? Which is Best for Canoeing?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- The battle between single and double blades for canoeing rages on! Well, that's a bit of an overstatement, but still, which is better? Is there a better? After 40 years of paddling, here's my thought on the matter!
#canoe #canoeing #paddling #canoepaddle
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Start / intro
01:53 - Old Man Duel
04:02 - Summary
05:23 - Extro/ending
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Both work. Carry a full size single blade as your backup and double blade for main. Swap as needed.
agreed!
Thank you, I think both gentlemen have valid arguments for their respective blade types, I think I will buy both 🙏
:) Perfect! Thanks for watching!
Me too. I am a kayaker but I sold my kayak and am thinking of buying a canoe. I am drilled to alway bring a spare paddle so why not one of each 😊
I think there's a place for both. In the end - they're both just paddles and conditions aren't always the same. Sometimes it's good to be flexible.
Absolutely - and that's really the point! Thanks for commenting.
That phenomenal acting deserves an auto upvote. lol love it.
You're very kind! Thank you for watching!
Had no idea what you were talking about until I watched the video i hands down agree.
Why choose? carry both... a single blade is more rewarding but when you need the maximum a double will be better. I have used a double to get over a thick patch of Lilley pads and against a tide on a windy afternoon. Options are good!
Traditional paddler here! Single blade all the way for me!
AWESOME! Me too!
When I discovered using an extended double bladed paddle for long distance canoe trips it shifted my journeying through the West Coast islands immeasurably...
I took a ten foot 1 1/2 inch diameter pole I found on a beach and with screws from a broken boat part, I attached two 5 by 11 inch pieces of 1/4 inch plywood from a old sign to the ends and it worked beyond anything I could have imagined... Powerful virtualy straight movement through the water. The length means less lifting as one sits higher than in a kayak and when I used it underhand it worked even better. I have since carved a nice red cedar double bladed paddle and a shorter one as well, like 9 feet.
I have a selection of hand carved yellow cedar single blades for more traditional paddling but never go without a double.
I have always favoured function over form or tradition...
Great comments Brian. I appreciate your stopping by. Cheers,
Wow, that sounds really nice. Would like to see the cedar paddles. Sounds like you figured it out and made the best of both worlds.
underhand double blade? Please show how you do it
Good points/comparison
Thanks for watching and touching base!
It is simple, in that you have it backwards. It isn't the hull that defines whether you are canoeing or kayaking, it IS the paddle, (and kneeling vs. sitting). Paddling a canoe using a kayak paddle isn't canoeing, it is kayaking. Anyway, they have very different applications that way. A kayak paddle is faster, and single-bladed canoeing is more precise, articulate, whatever.
Thanks for your thoughts! Cheers,
Lol whatever helps you sleep at night kiddo.
Hey, never watched you before but your video popped up as I was searching for information on this very subject. Not a technical review as you said but good points by the "guests". I am going to give it a try. Being older, I think keeping movements symmetrical will be better for longer paddles and help build/maintain core and upper body strength. For those considering DB paddle, it would be good if you have access to a canoe/kayak rental place to rent a canoe for a morning and take a DB paddle. I'll be checking some of your other videos. Thanks.
Good advice. Thanks for the feedback! Best of luck!
Nice video. Thanks for the insight
Glad it was helpful!
Very helpful. I use the double blade when windy. Bending branches make a couple of longer wooden double blade models that I prefer.
Sounds great! Thanks for the info and for watching!
I have a new 16 foot tandem canoe coming in a month that I’ll be paddling mostly solo (bought tandem because I won’t always be alone). Because I’m planning longer solo trips and want to be able to power through bigger weather alone, I’m going to bring my single canoe blade as my main paddle for the better weather and elegant paddling, and a double blade for my backup/windy, choppy days. Best of both worlds!
Sounds good! If you can successfully navigate the issue of dripping water (believe me I've tried anti-drip sprays and lots of rubber collars, etc. with minimal success), then you truly will have the best of both worlds!
15’ Prospector and that is my setup as well when soloing. Nothing better for getting across whitecaps into a headwind than a double-blade. Most other times, I use a lightweight cherry wood Badger ottertail.
@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 yes that is a concern. I have kayaks and for sure they haven’t figured out a good system for preventing water from dripping down onto arms and into the boat. That’s why it’ll be my backup for poor conditions.
Denise, post back once you're used the double paddle in the wind. Would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
Awesome info
Glad it was helpful!
Started canoeing after several years of kayaking so yep we use the double blade. The trouble is you give up some of the reasons you want to canoe. Mainly a nice dry ride you just don't get that with a double blade. Also if you are trolling with a rod out front it is easy to get your line caught. So this year we bought some canoe paddles and we are gonna figure it out.
I appreciate your honesty in seeing both sides! Paddle on!
My biggest irritation with using a Kayak Paddle/double blade.
If I’m tandem it’s always a single blade, but when I solo I’m normally out for some reason other than canoeing specifically (ok… I’m fishing), and in that case I’m almost always using a double blade. For me it’s more of where I want my focus, if I’m out canoeing for the joy of doing it and being in nature I really enjoy my single blade. If I’m doing other things that just happen to be canoe assisted I like the more mindless ease of the double.
Great insight!
One thing I've learned recently. IF you are using one of the havier Fishing Kayaks with a trolling motor mounted and you are in wind and Tides, a kayak paddle which is what I have is basically useless because I'm moving a heavy wide kayak that is like a sail in the wind. A single blad Canoe paddle will allow me to dig better and many times I'm not switching sides because of the wind. Just something I noticed today when it was blowing 20 and a strong tide. A sharp Deep stroke was more useful. Thanks for the chance to discuss.
Indeed! Lots of opinions on why one is better than the other, but it's often a minor issue compared to the shared interest of actually getting out on the water in the first place.
Good video thanks!
Glad you liked it!
I primarily use a traditional canoe paddle. I go out with two, a classic beaver tail, and a shorter and wider paddle as well (for rocky or shallow areas).... but.... I also have with me a kayak paddle as well. Why? If I just want to move more quickly. That normally isn't my style, but sometimes when time is running out or you have to deal with wind, currents, or even weather, a kayak paddle works well. That said, I don't like the extra water in the canoe because of it. But on a hot day it really does not matter much. Cheers!
Thanks for your insights and comments!
Hummmmm... I sihouldd have known that there is no real right or wrong. But alas I was looking for black and white. Thanks for your input. Very helpful.
Sorry! If you'd like a black and white, here's the best I have; I personally never use a double blade because it always gets me soaking wet and I feel like a novice. In my mind, a skilled paddler is one who knows how to utilize the various paddle strokes employed only with a single blade.
@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904to busy worrying about what others think of you lol. Thought that went away with age
I've used single blades quite a bit but not near as much as double blades. I can certainly do better with two blades going against the wind. I am a proponent of lightweight paddles but still recommend paddlers start with a basic, inexpensive paddle. After they settle on the blade type, length and feather angle that they prefer they can upgrade. If you get a chance to try a different paddle it's best to paddle at a good pace with your own paddle until your arms start to fatigue a bit. At this point the difference will be more apparent. After you get a new paddle, the first one can become your backup paddle. It'll be the one to use for the occasional abusive stuff. I got my wife a custom paddle some years ago that weighs 14 ounces. (I've never seen another kayak paddle as light.) Sometimes she uses it to paddle a cheap. 9' polyethylene kayak. I find this to be sensible but also hilarious. 😜 One thing we've found when paddling with friends is if we let them try our UL carbon paddles, they really don't want to return them, at least not before the end of the trip! Thanks for the video Pete ! BTW, have you found a good paddle to replace the $40 Pelican you used for this video?
Full disclosure - I haven't bothered to replace them and likely will not until they break. I don't use double blade as much, so it's not as big a deal to me.
I like it dude
I do my best! :)
I'm going to try whitewater kayaking for the first time, and because I can't sit in a frog legs position, I'm having to try a c1 conversion kayak first. I'm a flat water kayaker, so I'm used to a double blade. I noticed whitewater kayakers mostly all use double blades...... and I noticed you said a single blade is best for control in whitewater. That was interesting to me. Why is it better for whitewater? Why don't more whitewater kayakers use a single blade if that's the case? thanks!
Hey Chistel; Good question! I'm primarily referring to canoe control when I say single blade offers more. When a canoe is going down rapids, the more time a blade spends in the water, the better the control (assuming you know how to use the blade properly). Double blades are smaller, and they encourage novice users to switch from side to side which means a lot of time is being spent with blades OUT of the water. If used properly, double blades are best for kayaks and for your white water excursions, I would suggest double blade if you are in a kayak of any kind. In a canoe - go with single blade. Also, double blades tend to bump into rocks or fallen logs, obstructions, etc. while single blades are kept very close to the side of the canoe wall so that problem is eliminated. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thanks! I forgot to mention, with the c1 conversion kayaks, a single blade is the norm. So I'll be whitewater kayaking with a single blade! That's what's making me watch videos about single blades... I'm kind of nervous about it. I like what you said about having more control while it's in the water. That makes a lot of sense. Thanks!
what length do you like for double blade in the canoe? 250cm or do you seek out even longer?
Hey James; I use the pelican Catch Angler paddle which is 260 cm long. I don't think I'd ever go shorter than that with my tandem canoe (paddled solo) since it has a pretty wide beam. I already have issues with water drips all over me while paddling, and the shorter I go, the steeper the angle of the paddle with each stroke which means, of course, more water on my lap.
@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 not a lot of 260's out there but i see a few. i need to try this myself.
@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 try rubbing candle wax on the blades. It repels water back into the lake and not into your canoe as much.
No demo? Race across the lake and time which one wins!
Well, that might sort of prove which one is faster, but that wasn't the biggest factor for me - especially if the paddlers are different people or in different conditions (like one is tired out and the other is fresh) :) Thanks for commenting!
I like Karl’s idea! Future video?!😉
Double is faster. Saved you some time.
Single blade wood for canoes, Werner carbon double blade for kayaks, I have both.
That makes sense. I'm good with double blade for kayak - it's narrower and my thighs are not exposed! Cheers,
As long as they are out paddling even a shovel would work lol my preference is single blade for canoe. I’ve used both and gone rite where I wanted to be every time. No white water ever in my life so I can’t speak on that.
Sounds like you and I are the same on white water. I have never even seen a whitewater canoe with a double blade.
@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I got to to thinking about starting a TH-cam channel now for a while now I threw up a short intro video. Would you please check it out? Maybe throw in a like ?
I think it's a preference, which ever works better for you is the one to use. It's like the gun industry some people take it personally if someone else likes a Glock better than a 1911, handgun. Have fun and be safe.
I would mostly agree, but there are times when it's a really bad idea to use a double blade (like an extended journey down a smaller creek where your paddle will smack into obstructions on either side like tangled brush, weeds, tree trunks or rocks) or a single blade (if you are sitting in the dead center of a craft or a few inches forward of center - you won't be able to steer well with a single blade).
@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 it's crazy... most kayak puddles can break down into two pieces in that situation and you have a single paddle waiting to be reattached.
Do you think it is a good idea to get two single-blade paddles???
In my opinion, I'd get a good quality single blade (I used a bent shaft but it's not necessary) and then I'd get an emergency paddle (easily found on Amazon - the telescoping orange ones). That's all I've been using for years and I've never needed the backup paddle!
easier on the wrists, but harder on the shoulders. half the paddle, twice the paddler. a single blade is an artform when done correctly, a kayak paddle is a practicality. i am a sea kayak instructor a lake water and moving water canoe instructor, each tool has it's place, but the single blade is by far the more complex and nuanced one. want to become a masterful kayaker? become a master canoeist first, kayaking becomes dead simple.
Well said!
Kayak paddle don’t work well with large beam canoes.
Agreed!
Traditionalist. Gotta go with the wooden single blade.
Me too! Cheers,
Can't be using anything other than wood canoes then.
You missed the most critical peace of info: *WHAT SIZE?*
What size what? Single blade paddle length? Do you mean the width of the double paddle blade? I think this is applicable to all sizes whatever you're measuring. Thanks for the feedback.
Single blade *insert strong opinion here* . Especially in wind; against the current; when fishing and paddle is down and you need to switch sides to correct, then you hit your child in the head when switching sides.
agreed!
The apex of canoeing is two people with single bent-shaft paddles.
I spend 90% of my time on the water with a solo canoe and a bent shaft paddle. I agree!
@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I think there's a place for both. In the end - they're both just paddles and conditions aren't always the same. Sometimes it's good to be flexible.
One person 2 blades.
Two people 1 blade.
Can't make your own double blade (kayak) paddle....yeah right bud. I've only made around 2500 of them myself so far. and a couple hundred canoe paddles too.
Hey, I see Joe O Paddles makes the Greenland kayak paddles. Yes, that I can see making yourself out of strips of softwood - makes sense. I make bent shaft paddles and I also use strips of cedar but my strips are a quarter inch wide so I can bend them! Nice job. I can see it would be tougher to do a DIY double blade that looks like a typical Pelican, Aquabound or Werner. I just returned from canoe trip in the Kopka River just south of Armstrong - in your neck of the woods! Cheers,
It's nothing new to paddle a canoe with a double blade; Native Americans did it, especially in Canada and NE U.S.
Yup!
Blasphemy!
surely not! :)
Why the bad Russian accent? Lol
Hey, I'm actually Russian and that's exactly how my dad spoke! Okay, I guess Russian is not my first language, but I try :) cheers,