What is the best paddle for my new boat

Submitted byjboyd90 onSun, 02/24/2019 - 16:55
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Kayak Building

Just picked up this kayak/canoe? I am a experienced kayaker. I picked up this bot for $100 a little while ago. Want to see what I can do with it in terms of multi day trips rather than my smaller kayak. Seems kind of like a hybrid, not sure what style paddle I should go with ex. traditional kayak double or a single canoe paddle. Any input is appreciated. I know its's ugly but I'm starting a family and its all my wife will let me play with right now. I expect to use it on rivers that in places have a nice 3mph current and in others wide w/ little to no current. Please advise, thanks.

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John VanBuren

Sun, 03/03/2019 - 16:24

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Unfortunately, I cannot view the picture of your kayak. But most of the time I prefer a Greenland style kayak paddle. But if the boat has a large open cockpit, you might be better served with a more conventional paddle equipped with drip rings to help keep water out of the boat. That said, I use a Greenland paddle in a canoe in the summer when a bit of water provides a nice cooling effect.  Of course, there are some folks who will use a canoe paddle in a kayak at times on a long paddle just to use a different set of muscles.

So in my humble opinion, use whatever paddle you are most comfortable with or happen to have to start out.

 

John VB

 

JayBabina

Mon, 03/04/2019 - 07:34

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Try both. I owned a canoe for a year and kayaked for many years. I used to take the canoe out with  my brother and used a euro, unfeathered paddle. We were throwing a wake effortlessly. I have canoed with traditional canoe paddles too. After spending some time using a kayak paddle I just wondered why canoeists from years past never did this. it was so effortless and kept the muscles in equilibrium. Other canoeists where commenting "you guys are cheating". One more thing: canoeists seem to favor stern rudders to turn. I found a bow rudder so much easier and more powerful to use. Of course you have to know how to do it or even know it exists. Have fun with it.

JohnAbercrombie

Mon, 03/04/2019 - 12:54

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I think the OP has  'dropped off the question' and moved on.

A bit off-topic, but ......

 

Jay said:

 One more thing: canoeists seem to favor stern rudders to turn.

Good canoe paddlers don't do that very often. Having the bow 'man' hanging out on a 'draw' (actually a rudder stroke) is a classic canoe picture 'eddying in or out'.  Sometimes you will see couples with less-skilled paddlers in the bow, with the stern doing all the boat control.

Because the stern paddler can see the boat direction more clearly, it's the stern who calls 'Hut' to switch sides, or in 'classic' technique uses a rudder or J while the bow paddler cranks along. Part of the reason that the stronger 'motor' is usually in the bow in a good pair.

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