Jun 20th, 2026 at 6:33am (UTC)

(Moderators: db, DentonDoc, Jimbo)
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 2 [3]  Reply Reply Add Poll Add Poll Send Topic Send Topic Print Print
25 Paddling a solo canoe (Read 15570 times)
solotripper
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 8109
Location: clarkston MI
Joined: Mar 14th, 2005
Re: Paddling a solo canoe
Reply #20 - Apr 24th, 2011 at 3:45pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Quote:
Many have trouble with getting wet while using a double paddle.



If you use a double paddle, this item will help immeasurably with the drip problem if your paddles stroke lends to water running down the shaft.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I have these, but a Google search shows many styles. I see one model that's made of silicone. Well worth the minimal cost/weight.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
woodstripper
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 37
Location: Green Bay, WI
Joined: Jan 30th, 2010
Re: Paddling a solo canoe
Reply #21 - May 31st, 2011 at 3:17am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I just took my brandy-new, hot off the finishing cradles, cedar strip Merlin on its maiden cruise on a local river this morning.  My first paddle in a purpose built solo.  I have a sliding seat, and took along a 230 cm bent shaft yak paddle (because I have one!), and two bent-shaft paddles (52 and 56 cm).

Now ordinarily I'm a slow cadence deep-dipping, power stroker who uses an occasional light J to keep the pointy end pointed where want to go.  But this morning I learned some hard truths about a center seat solo canoe... particularly one that isn't loaded down with gear:

1)  Yep!  They handle just like tandems in the wind:  bow heavy up wind good, stern heavy bad (and vice versa for downwind)
2)  A standard yak paddle is WAY too short!  I gotta find a nice long one so I don't have to raise it to a steep angle just to reach the water.
3)  Drip rings are worthless when the paddle is so short and the angle so high that the ring comes inside the gunnels on each stroke... they just make sure that rivulet dumps right in your lap!
4)  A comfortable bent shaft used in the conventional sit & switch manner can get you 4-8 good strong strokes on one side before the bow starts swinging too much and a switch is needed.

No news in any of these observations, just confirmation that a new, long 'yak paddle is in my near future... and hopefully Woodland Caribou not long after that!
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
wally
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1987
Location: Minni-soda
Joined: Apr 3rd, 2003
Re: Paddling a solo canoe
Reply #22 - May 31st, 2011 at 4:04am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I found the same drip/wetness issues with a yak paddle in my Prism.  What length is usually sought after for a solo canoe?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
DentonDoc
Moderator
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 3468
Location: Central Texas
Joined: Dec 27th, 2003
Re: Paddling a solo canoe
Reply #23 - May 31st, 2011 at 5:17am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
wally wrote on May 31st, 2011 at 4:04am:
I found the same drip/wetness issues with a yak paddle in my Prism.  What length is usually sought after for a solo canoe?

I suspect something of the 9 foot (270/274cm) persuasion would be about right.  (I also added a second set of drip rings to my rig (one set just above the paddle blade and a second set about a foot further up the shaft.

dd
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Joe_Schmeaux
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 395
Location: Alberta
Joined: Mar 23rd, 2010
Re: Paddling a solo canoe
Reply #24 - May 31st, 2011 at 5:39am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
mastertangler wrote on Apr 17th, 2011 at 2:12pm:
I would like to be taught some other strokes.


Here's a repost of a link from another thread
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
I like Bill Mason's instructional vids better than anything I've run across on u-tube, even if they are a bit dated.

J-strokes are harder with a bent shaft because the blade of the paddle is at the wrong angle for the stern pry unless you move it farther out from the boat. So prying off the gunwale (klunk ... klunk ... klunk) will not work, it has to be done with the shoulder muscles. A C stroke (added bow draw) makes things easier by shifting a bit of the course correction work to the start of the stroke from the end.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
mastertangler
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 3111
Location: florida
Joined: Feb 1st, 2010
Re: Paddling a solo canoe
Reply #25 - May 31st, 2011 at 10:41am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I guess I already c stroke without even knowing that's what it is Grin.

Next up for me is to go somewhere for a whitewater seminar. Right now I'm a chicken..........
  
Back to top
WWW WWW  
IP Logged
 
Preacher
Contributer
Subscriber
Offline



Posts: 1327
Location: COTU
Joined: Apr 10th, 2010
Re: Paddling a solo canoe
Reply #26 - May 31st, 2011 at 2:01pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Yep, the C is your friend. 

I also find that an inwater return makes for a nice easy correction.  Instructors I've spoken with often talk about having your paddle in the water.  The paddle's no good if it's not in the water.  You're much more stable this way.

Practice with the bent is key.  I have no problem with a J using my Grey Owl bent. 

Short strokes are more efficient & powerful.  Reach, stab the water, stacked hands, torso rotation, recover/correct as bottom hand passes the knee.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
solotripper
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 8109
Location: clarkston MI
Joined: Mar 14th, 2005
Re: Paddling a solo canoe
Reply #27 - May 31st, 2011 at 5:40pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
DentonDoc wrote on May 31st, 2011 at 5:17am:
wally wrote on May 31st, 2011 at 4:04am:
I found the same drip/wetness issues with a yak paddle in my Prism.  What length is usually sought after for a solo canoe?

I suspect something of the 9 foot (270/274cm) persuasion would be about right.  (I also added a second set of drip rings to my rig (one set just above the paddle blade and a second set about a foot further up the shaft. dd


I use a 9ft Mohawk double paddle they advertised as being for canoes.
In a rented SR 16 tandem, paddling backward from the front seat, the paddle is just right. Not sure what a true solo width is, but probably pretty close to the dimensions I'm dealing with. I'd say a 9 ft would be a good place to start. I can do a rolling type cruising stroke that keeps me dry and is a good mix of power and economy of energy.

I'd put on drip rings in any case, can't hurt.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 2 [3] 
Reply Reply Add Poll Add Poll Send Topic Send Topic Print Print
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

 
  « The Put-In ‹ Board  ^Top   

QuietJourney Forums » Powered by YaBB 2.6.0!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2026. All Rights Reserved.

Valid RSS Valid XHTML Valid CSS Powered by Perl Source Forge