Heading out solo next month. In the past I've just used my canoe paddle but have been playing with the idea of using a kayak paddle and then have my canoe paddle as a back up. I'm wondering if people like using the kayak paddle for solo use, pros cons?

I dont care for it, the kayak paddle, but that is me. I know that some do. For me the rocking back and forth and the dripping in the boat, even with the "drip stoppers", is not worth it; and then there is the $. I will stick with the bent shaft and straight and call it good. The old way is also a bit easier on the portages IMHO. I also believe the "traditional" way is a bit quieter on the H20 too. Additionally, the kayak paddle is just a bit to long when one gets into those tight "creeks".

As always, personal preference/experience and aesthetics play a role in this.
I love the double paddle for solo. I'm paddling a 16 ft tandem from the bow. I bought a 9 ft Mohawk Aluminum paddle just for this purpose. Ran about $100. I take and use a bent shaft for a backup, fishing/ and easy cruising paddle.

For me, the double shines when paddling into a headwind or you have the wind at your back and want too really fly. I don't get the water problem Marlin mentioned. I use a kayak cruising stroke, not the big windmill stroke you see the racers use.

On portages the tough aircraft/ABS double acts as a 3rd leg. In camp its a center pole for tarp if needed, or taken apart, supports the tarp if there's no tree's close to where I want to set it up.

I wouldn't spend big bucks on a hi-tech paddle, at least until you see if it's for you. Some here agree with me, others have tried it, and hated it.

I mentioned experience. I'm a one, maybe two trips a year person if I'm lucky. Haven't even gone the last 2 years do too work related issues. I don't have "paddle muscle" memory like paddlers do who trip all summer or paddle on a weekly/daily basis.

There is a different series of muscles in play using a double paddle. From what I can discern, the people with the most experience seem too dislike the double paddle the most. Not all, but the majority.

Since the first few  days of a trip for me are a relearning experience, making the switch from a single bent shaft to a double was no big deal.
I workout for overall fitness, so I'm not particularly sore using either.

I'd beg/borrow/rent a double, load your canoe with your loaded packs/equal ballast, and take a few spins in varied conditions?

I got the idea a few years back from a guy I met coming out of Conk lk, heading toward Beaverhouse, while I was starting my trip.

He had a dedicated solo boat and was coming into the wind as I was riding it. He was really moving and as he pulled along side, we grabbed gunnel's and talked a bit.

He said that he was a dedicated kayak er as well. He said that while traditionalist scoff, he thought  the double had it's place in the right conditions. He knew what he was doing, you could tell by his gear/canoe set-up and his canoe handling skills.

I got a double the next spring and haven't looked back. Not for everyone, just like paddle types and gear selections.

But like most things, you won't know if you like it, until you give it a try?
Just don't spend big bucks until you know for sure. I love my aluminum paddle, I could go for lighter, but I can handle it now, and don't have too worry about damaging it, it's plenty tough and can take North country tripping abuse ;)

I have done 2 solo attempts, I prefer the double style. It is especially helpful when the wind picks up and you need to get somewhere.  I always take a back-up paddle and I have a telescoping one from Walmart, works great for fishing and maybe in a small creek.  But I also have seen many people with 2 paddles, one straight and one bent...I think it is what you are comfortable with.  
I do know that attempting a tricky crossing using something you are not comfortable with could lead to problems.
I would borrow or rent one your first time, I think most of the doubles come apart and are pretty easy to store.  Just have some bungee straps around and you will be set.

So I have a Kayak Paddle and plan on using it on my trip next week. I'm comfortable with either... I'm wondering if I still need to take an additional spare canoe paddle. In my paddling out on our lake I find the Kayak paddle a good thing, but would hate to be left with just it if my canoe paddle broke. I see they have handles that can convert the kayak paddle into a canoe type paddle. I know what Marlin says about the drip... but for some reason this paddle doesn't drip like others I've tried.

Interesting discussion.  I came to the solo canoe after years of whitewater and touring kayaks.  While I wanted to learn the single blade, I was very nervous about having just a single on my first trip.  I used the double blade for about an hour, put it away, and never looked back - I find the single blade much drier, quieter, lighter, and every bit as efficient.  

My knees tell me I'm too old to convert my whitewater kayak to a C1, but I'm toying with building a short canoe paddle to combine with the K1 on the local river.

Just my two cents but I have a double paddle I've used a number of times. I like it but it is a totally different group of muscles that it works. But if you start using it ahead of time that shouldn't be much of issue for you. Also, if you do get one, remember to get one longer than they might recomend since you're sitting higher in a canoe. I think getting too short is where the drip comes from. Your paddle ends up more uo rather than out. And keeping the drip gurads way out will help that too.

nctry_Ben wrote on May 12^th, 2010 at 3:51am:

So I have a Kayak Paddle and plan on using it on my trip next week. I'm comfortable with either... I'm wondering if I still need to take an additional spare canoe paddle. In my paddling out on our lake I find the Kayak paddle a good thing, but would hate to be left with just it if my canoe paddle broke. I see they have handles that can convert the kayak paddle into a canoe type paddle. I know what Marlin says about the drip... but for some reason this paddle doesn't drip like others I've tried.

You can buy T-handle adapters for double paddles, but I think you'd be better off with a dedicated canoe paddle as a spare/backup.  

When I'm traveling, I use the double almost exclusively. I usually have a line in the water if conditions permit, but I'm sure using the double, I'm going faster than optimum trolling speed?

When I want to fish seriously, I use the single. Sometimes I'll switch too single, say an hour or so from where I plan on camping for the night.
It's nice to have supper on the line before you hit your personal; 5 star site.

Lots do it and I would if my canoe wasn't so fat, 37" at the gut!  I can't yak-paddle because I keep knocking gunwales on the recovery side using the longest yak-paddle I could rent.  I'd need a >10' paddle.

The big bonus is efficiency.  Every stroke is a power stroke.

The big minus (imo) is style.  There's nothing like a single paddle for that connection between canoe/paddler/water.