What's the Best Canoe Paddle - Straight Shaft vs Bent Shaft

Canoe paddles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, because there's no such thing as 'one size fits all'. Choosing the right sized paddle is fairly straightforward, because there's a simple sizing test that you can do. But choosing between a straight shaft canoe paddle and a bent shaft canoe paddle is a much more personal decision. There is no 'right' answer, but in this video, I talk about the pros and cons of both, and give my opinion after using both types of paddles for 4 straight days on a canoe trip in Killarney Provincial Park.
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[@jbaccanalia]

50 years with a straight paddle,I still haven't tried a bent one. I flip my paddle around too much to deal with the asymmetry. Straight, and wood are my choice. Good conversation.

[@shaunthomas2184]

Mainly a flatwater paddler. Like doing canoe trips with my wife and my Scout Venturing Crew. I use a straight shaft myself as I do not like changing sides and I utilize a J stroke to control where the canoe is tracking. My wife uses a bent shaft so she can provide a bit more power and it evens our strokes out a bit.

[@NikonF5user]

I think it is helpful to consider how you are positioning yourself within the canoe. While sitting up on the seat, a bent-shaft paddle is more efficient for power strokes. If kneeling, a straight paddle is likely a bit more efficient as you tend to reach further out in front when making a power stroke...

[@TOOZECRUISE]

Another good one Ken. Thanks!

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@TheWhiskeyCowboyLife]

I grew up with a straight shaft, and love sympatry. I don't need the single advantage a bent shaft would offer and unwilling to give up all the things that the straight does by default. I can see long touring (and more so the front position), or racing using a bent shaft though. I don't see ever buying a bent shaft though. As for paddle length, I would say it depends on the use and blade shape. My skinny water paddles are broader but shorter shafted. My medium to deep water paddle is the classic bever tail, and longer. And my deep water (though medium is fine) paddle is my Odder tail which is narrower bladed then the bever, and has a longer shaft as well. My personal paddles are Bending Branches and Fishell. But I have others for my other canoe and guests.

[@TheLoxapac]

Thank you for your advices.

[@wayne8276]

Makes sense to me . Thank you, Sir .

[@granthaller9544]

My wife and recently got carbon fiber paddles. I got her a bent shaft as she is in the front, and I got a straight shaft for more steering strokes in the back. We are flat water paddlers. I think you hit it on the head with your take on the two.

[@PaddleTV]

Great point... both paddlers in a canoe don't need to be using the same paddle!

[@TheLoxapac]

I am in the same situation, and was thinking about getting her a bent paddle as i am always the stern paddler and she is always bow. For now we only have straight paddles but her's is a bit oversized for her and i think that a nicely sized and bent paddle would be great for her, more comfortable. She's doing fine with the big straight paddle because she is really a strong upper body woman, but i think she would be great with a correct size paddle, especially a bent one.

[@granthaller9544]

@@TheLoxapac We are enjoying our Wenonah carbon paddles. I have come to use a sit and switch technique more often and wonder if I should have gotten a bent paddle also. But I am very satisfied with our set up now so I think it is a good choice. Light paddles make for a quick and effortless switch, so frequent switching means less steering strokes which I think can be tiring. I have my wife switch when she wants and I switch as needed to keep us on a straight course.

[@thecount1001]

IMO you said it all when it comes to preference. if you are a paddler, with a history and interest in technical paddling, over flat water efficiency, a straight shaft paddle will always be the preferred tool.

[@seathrunmagaoinghous4119]

Great info

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@thecount1001]

Ken, no mention of Eugene Jenson and the origins of the bent shaft? it's really a racing design from marathon canoeing.

[@sel7245]

Thanks for sharing. Wonder why paddle blades are not made like oars. Meaning slightly U-shaped, so the water makes less vortex around the edges/more efficient.

[@Hankypanky1248]

As far as I understand in a two person canoe it is best to have one of each. Bent in front for power, straight in back for steering. Obviously personal preference takes priority though

[@brianjetty2121]

We have both. Mostly straight shaft and bending branches for sure.

[@RandRCanoeAdventuresA.A.F.A.C]

Love the videos Bro . Keep up the good work...I have a 1,981 mile Adventure coming up in Sept..All on large rivers, with no rapids..I've been brought to believe an Otter Tail Paddle would be best..Whats your thoughts on the matter ? Thanks in Advance...

[@PaddleTV]

Wow! 1981 miles??? That's a mission! Best of luck! As for blade shape... when you're doing as much paddling as you're about to do, I think the most important thing is choosing a paddle that feels the best to you, regardless of what that shape might be.

[@RandRCanoeAdventuresA.A.F.A.C]

@@PaddleTV Thanks Bro..Its def a long one..I'm looking forward to it..Its been awhile since I've done any distance paddling..Camping on the Rivers every night in a different spot will be epic..I hope I don't have too much trouble finding good camp spots..On that thought , I think I'll snag both a Beaver Tail and a Otter tail..That way I can try both , and see which one wins out..I'll be looking forward to your Canoe Adventure Viddys , and tips and tricks..

[@jonbrouwer6578]

Of course overall paddle length is much less important than handle to throat. Beaver to otter tail I find need an extra few inches as the blade length difference between them means same overall length will give the otter a shorter shaft length as it has a longer blade.

[@PaddleTV]

Good point!

[@conniewaite1996]

Great video.question,please show how to pick length of a paddle.i am 5ft.8 130 lbs 67 years old slim,long legs,average length arms ?not short arms tho.also,my shoulders are getting bad.would a slimmer blade be better,less pull

[@PaddleTV]

Hi Connie. Here's a short little video that shows a quick test for paddle length. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHnRYnxurctlgLc Yes, a slimmer blade would be a good idea for bad shoulders. Cheers!

[@shanewatters9251]

I wonder if anyone has measured the deflection or flex in the blade of an otter tail shaped paddle in the water? I've been trying to quantify why some traditional shaped paddles feel so efficient while having more surface area then sit and switch style paddles?

[@andyturner28]

Apparently the flex is supposed to make it feel more comfortable, and i guess add a bit of spring to your stroke? Having said that, i have a Grey Owel ottertail and haven't really noticed any flex at all.

[@brodiwheeler7583]

Wouldn’t it be angled paddle instead of bent shaft? I always thought of bent shaft as where the shaft itself has a bend in it to give you more leverage and reach like a bent shaft kayak paddle or bent shaft stand up paddle...

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! Good point...

[@recelehberger1603]

How do I size a canoe paddle? Also, what are the advantages of an expensive paddle compared to an inexpensive paddle?

[@PaddleTV]

Here you go! kzbin.infonHn1I8xf2JU As for difference between expensive and non-expensive... expensive paddles are typically lighter and stiffer, which makes them more comfortable to use, and provides more power.

[@martinross5496]

Bent shaft paddles work best as a bow paddle. Straight shaft paddles are best for J, Indian and Pitch strokes.

[@brodiwheeler7583]

That is true, I do think my angled paddle works good for ruddering though...

[@tominnenPL]

Hey Ken, how you deal with mosquitos?

[@PaddleTV]

To be honest... I do most of my multi-day tripping in August, September and October, to avoid the bugs when they're at their worst. Otherwise, I don't have a great option aside from bug dope, or a full bug shirt if they're really bad.

[@tominnenPL]

@@PaddleTV yeah, tripping past summer is always the great option, but the price of shorter daylight is in my opinion a little bit problem. I think the worst mosquitos in entire world is in Siberia during summer. Dark grey bloodsucker clouds which you literally breathing. Impossible to live. But somehow people can be there. For the polish guy like me, was it very, very hard to prevail.

[@MrMrdave1966]

From someone who has been using a bent shaft for years, I think you are using the paddle wrong. Two days of use still makes you an amateur with it. Turn the paddle around and try again. I had 2 surgeries on my shoulder and properly using the bent shaft has allowed me to return to canoeing

[@PaddleTV]

Here is a good short video on bent shaft use: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZqxd4Osht5_l6c

[@tonyallen4573]

If you are using the paddle backwards, it would be far lighter as it is not working as hard as a straight shaft and not being effective

[@andyturner28]

Erm, bent paddles are meant for the front baddler only, not at the back. Would feel pretty weird doing a j stroke with a bent paddle, especially a shovel like that. I was front paddler for 64 miles on the Caledonian Canal and i much prefered the bent paddle. At the back and solo i only use an Ottertail.

[@PaddleTV]

Not entirely true... I agree bent shafts make more sense for the bow paddler, but they're not designed exclusively for that purpose. Many solo paddlers prefer bent shaft paddles too. I'm not one of them though! Like you, I'll stick to an Ottertail style paddle.