I NEVER leave shore without a spare paddle! A storm paddle serves my purpose admirably in the yak, and a second single blade'll do it every time in the canoe.

If I were you, I'd be proud to say I know a J-stroke. Single blades increase your skill as a double blader a whole lot more than a double improves your single blading life. Every kayaker should learn the finer points of a single blade paddle if they wish to develop all the skill they can.

If you don't have room for a spare paddle, MAKE room. So there.

One spare paddle for a group is okay, as long as there's a spare available; make it one spare for every three or four boats if it's a larger group. Not sure why you'd feel like you need a paddle for each boat you own, unless you make a habit of putting a guest in each boat. Sometimes kayaks vary enough in configuration to make you want a different lengths, etc., and that could a good reason too. Hmmm.

Whatever, them's my 2¢.

: What do you guys use as a spare paddle on a kayak for day cruising?
: If my health continues to improve I should be able to get back
: into some longer treks this year.

: I don’t really have space on my kayaks or in my solo canoes for
: my other double paddle, it's a one piece and the two-piece is
: the one I would normally use. I have several single-bladed
: paddles - one of those would allow me to chase down the double
: should I somehow manage to toss it away, or to get me someplace
: safe if I break it, although it's embarrasing to admit on a
: kayaking forum that I know how to J-stroke . . .

: Maybe I should put a ferrule on the one-piece double-bladed paddle
: . . .

: I suppose I really should have at least one paddle per boat, I'm
: nowhere close - perhaps I should make a storm paddle.