So I’ve seen lots of holsters and places for storing paddles in a whitewater skirt, but where do people lash or stash their paddles in open canoes? Pictures, please!
Surely there have to be better solutions than just on the floor.
When I was river trip camping, I used those hook and loop cable bundle ties and secured it to a thwart.
1 Like
Well, I’ve seen lots of paddlers stow their spare paddles differently. I have to admit I’m not even consistent myself. I normally use a beavertail most of the time and carry a bent shaft in case I feel the need for speed or have to battle a strong headwind. The main thing is I want to be able to put my hands on the spare quickly. If I have a load of camping stuff I usually place my spare with the blade between the top of my stuff in the bow and the deck plate or carry thwart. The grip end rests on top of the thwart in front of me. I have an elastic strip with velcro ends that I use to put one wrap around the thwart and paddle shaft. The wrap needn’t be tight and is easier to get off quickly if it isn’t. It is just there to keep the paddle from sliding out if I lift the end of the boat or tilt steeply to the side. A foot or so of electrical wire works too - or rope but not with a knot that has to be picked out. If I think things might get hairy and a spill likely, I put two wraps around. It works just as well to the stern with the grip end resting on the thwart just behind me, often to one side.
I don’t think I have any photos of it - sorry. Guess I never thought of it as photogenic.
1 Like
My Merlin II has D-rings along the gunwales so I have a loop of sturdy cord attached to the D-rings to hold the spare paddle blade and then I use one of those double Velcro loops to attach the grip end to the thwart. It makes it easy to swap paddles even one-handed. I put the spare behind me to leave room up front for the dog.
1 Like
