shame, shame, shame
I recently got into a donnybrook on a different board about double vs single blades. I sort of know Tommy, we have had many good discussions about canoe sailing. I don’t want to fight.
All I can say is shame shame shame. ;-(
That’s why a two piece is important …
so you can hide it under the deck when you are greatly out numbered by single bladers or the yakers think you stole a kayak paddle ;^)
:^)
Mick
maneuvers
Oh, the shame!
Now that that’s out of the way… have you ever done a sweep with a 240 double blade paddle with your hands way way down at the far end? I think if the water were calm enough I could probably get about 280degrees rotation out of one stroke! But don’t even think about a pry or a draw if there are low power lines over the water. Not pretty.
Seriously though… sounds like a great day on the water. I have the same double blade and since my single is not as light as a Zav, I don’t notice the difference. I’d better stop reading this before I get any bright ideas.
I take the Zav and my carbon kayak
paddle when paddling the Voyager. If the wind comes up or the kayakers are cranking,I use the double.Also , for better control if there is a current.
I use the Zav for cruising.On the lake, the Zav doesn’t get used much.
thought provoking, thanks Tommy
Patrick has a good point about the longer the shaft the more the blade flutters. I have a 4 piece 220cm Lendal touring paddle that is just a tad long for my sea kayak so I purchased a 30cm extension to make it into a 250cm double blade for canoeing. It is tiring to use that configuration all day because unless you hold the shaft (too) tightly the blade will wander and flutter.
I have a 230cm Werner Camano fiberglass which is too long from my sea kayaks and too short for double blading my solo canoes. I’m thinking of either buying an extension to make the Camano 250cm for canoeing, or cutting the shaft to make it 215cm for sea kayaking.
I still like single blading the best because it is so much quieter, no plop, swish, swirl with every stroke as a double blade does.
BTW, I have noticed a number of the posters who decry double blading a canoe because it isn’t “traditional” are paddling go-straight, kevlar carbon solo canoes using a carbon bent shaft paddle, neither of which is “traditional”. Shouldn’t traditionalists be paddling Chestnut wood and canvas with a Black Cherry Nashwaak beaver tail? There, now I feel better:)
I use a bent shaft sometimes, too, but not switching. I paddle on one side using a slight pitch stroke to stay on course, and only switch sides when I want to rest occasionally. No perceptible zigzagging with this technique.
My arms used to get tired using a double blade, too, then I studied the Greg Barton forward stroke and wow, what a difference. More speed, sustained over a longer period of time and no shoulder popping and tired arms.
Shame?
I can’t get the fine control from a double. That’s the other reason I’m no yakker. You aren’t likely to see me running rapids with anything but a single blade. I got a T grip addiction there. I also far prefer my singles for cruising.
But I can clearly get more horsepower, at least short term, with the double. So when the wind is blowing me backwards I use the tool that gets me going.
Besides y’all should know by now,
I’m shameless.
Tommy
Yup, Tradition…
– Last Updated: Jul-15-07 4:22 PM EST –
>>> Shouldn't traditionalists be paddling Chestnut wood and canvas with a Black Cherry Nashwaak beaver tail? There, now I feel better:):)
Here yer go, Brother Canoedancing......
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2724261630094647494VexwQr
Fat Elmo - Founder Of The Canoo Panthers Revolutionary Movement.
One of the most beautiful canoes ever!
Fat Elmo, you have one of the most beautiful canoes I’ve ever seen, thanks for posting those pictures. Dave did an outstanding job spruceing that baby up for you.
Andy
Dave is de best!
Gon’na take delivery on one of his Peregrines in September.
FE
Forget the Double Blade
– Last Updated: Jul-16-07 11:30 AM EST –
Look at this pic of Tom and let's talk about shameless in style! Those shorts just about blinded all of us on the river that day!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/douglas.doremus/PolingPics03/photo#5087539967593517426
Sorry, to see this beautiful pic of river attire you need to cut and paste the whole URL.
Shame, shame, shame on you Tom! ;-)
dougd
Especially like the way Tommy is always
– Last Updated: Jul-15-07 7:14 PM EST –
so well color coordinated!
Takes a hell of a man to set style as he does!
>:^)
Mick
Epic Relaxed Tour with Length-Lock
http://www.epickayaks.com/products/details.aspx?nid=664&cid=792
For me, this is the Zaveral of double blades. My full carbon with burgundy shaft (more flex) is much less effort per stroke than my carbon Camano. Mine adjusts from 215 to 225cm and I’ve only used it in my kayaks so far, but may try it in my Sawyer Starlight sometime soon.
I haven’t tried the AT paddles that Charlie suggests, but I’d like to sometime.
Like canoedancing, I use the Zaveral bent shaft on one side using a slight pitch at the end of the stroke until I feel like switching sides rather than using sit and switch. I find it more relaxing.
The Camanos tire me too quickly when paddling canoes. The Zaveral bent shafts are much less work.
Mohawk double
Mohawk makes a real long double bladed canoe paddle. Not carbon though, but it can take a pounding. You can twist it 90 so zero wind effects.
Why on earth do single blades still exist? And why on earth do they attract adherents? I would have thought this single blade idea would die as soon as someone discovered the extreme advantages you mention to double blading.
Oh the torture some put themselves through for purist experience. I wish I could find more versions of double blades with the extra length for my fat canoe. I’ll take some extra weight any day compared to zig zagging uselessly. I would like to see the energy savings of swinging a slightly heavy double compared to making additional course corrections. Can’t some college engineering student research this concept so we can understand what will burn the least energy from out tired bones?
Single blade plus rudder kicks the
behind of a double blade and no rudder in a canoe. Light carbon paddle and no corrective strokes. No zig zagging. Less tiring at the end of the day. Of course, most rudders aren’t much use in shallow (skinny) water and the double blades are great in shallow water, especially when going upstream.
Alas…
– Last Updated: Jul-20-07 4:59 PM EST –
Zenrider, obviously ye ain't a canooist...
FE
we don’t need any engineering students
– Last Updated: Jul-20-07 2:26 PM EST –
Poor technique is inefficient.
what, zen?
– Last Updated: Jul-20-07 2:23 PM EST –
the long-term efficiency IS with a single. it's been proven over and over again in ultra-marathons. double for speed, single for the long haul. and there are plenty of paddlers using a single blade who are fast. in fact, i'll race you in my 15-foot solo with a solo blade and you in your canoe with a double. 10 miles. down the river and back. you won't win.
single blades just require more time to learn. it's more complicated to pick up a single blade and hit the water than with a kayak paddle. but just because you can't use/understand one doesn't mean you should be mystified as to why they're still around.
Has the time come for a Forum devoted
to double-blade canoe paddling?
Just a thought.
just as long as it’s not archived
Otherwise, how could you ask “how long” and “who makes” over and over again? ";p)
To boldly go…
That’s a confident man who can wear those.