Wish I could report on how it paddles, but the sad truth is I have not had it in the water yet.  Apparently I am not living correctly these days.

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Now that I know you’re paddling a tandem canoe solo, I'll say besides the weight you want to lose, your "issues" are probably 90%+ because you don't have a long enough paddle.
I’m paddling a SR 16 Tandem, so there just about the same dimensions.

My first attempt at using a double paddle was when I was still going with 3 other guys. I had seen a guy using one in solo and thought that from my usual stern paddler seat it would help generate more speed.

I didn’t want to spend big bucks so when Campmor had an 8’-244 cm double paddle on sale, I bought one.
I soon found that because your sitting higher in a canoe and even the bow/stern seat is wider in a tandem than either a kayak or solo canoe, to NOT hit the gunnels you have to do that high-windmill stroke which is very physical ESPECIALLY with a heavy paddle.

A little Google research and I found the problem. You want about a 9’ or so double paddle IF you’re going to be using a tandem canoe solo. That being able to FLATTEN your stroke means more than you realize physically.

I would try the longest kayak paddle you can find that allows you to do that flatter touring stroke. You’ll notice the difference right off.

Even if you go to a lighter paddle, you still want a backup right?
If so, I have a suggestion.  You might even want to try this before you decide on what length newer lighter paddle to get?

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This Mohawk paddle extension “should” fit your aluminum shaft Whisper. Get the one that gets you closes to 9”- 274 cm. You might even find with being able to do that lower touring stroke, that old paddle isn’t as “heavy” as you think it is. For $10 it’s a cheap/easy way to find the exact length you want before you spend bigger bucks. Try and test it in your canoe with a full tripping load because that will make a difference too.

You could even pick up a couple of those T-handle adapters for a few bucks and have even more mix and match options.

Good Luck