I use a telescopic paddle as a spare paddle. It takes up little room. That is a good idea to use your spare paddle to push off from concrete, rocky or gavel launches. I am going to adopt that method.
Great review, and really helpful to understamd the differences when it comes to the feel and use of these paddles. I've always loved the look of ottertails, but now I actually have a real reason to get one... when I get a canoe with a bench seat 😉. Double-blade 240cm Werner Camano paddle for me everytime in a pack boat! No shoulder issues at all, and being able to feather the blade to suit the conditions is a game changer for those of us with sore wrists!
Hi Paul - After watching Amy's videos I have gone from a otter-tail to a double ended and find it great in the bigger waterways like lakes dams etc. Shorter one 2.4m (which I made in 2001) dropped a fair bit of water into the boat but I recently bought a longer on 2.6m and very little water in. Whilst it took a little to get used to is great, I really like it. Funnily enough I bought it for my wife Anita but she did not like it and has stuck with the Otter-tail. We are a two person canoe front is canoe and back is kayak style lol. We love our canoeing. Cheers Morgs
I too have come to really appreciate the craftsmanship of Grey Owl paddles. I own there Beavertail design for its versatility and absolutely love it. They're expensive, so not for everyone, but if you use your canoe a lot, appreciate top notch craftsmanship or have a few spare buck and want to treat yourself. Then I think that is money well spent. I also have adopted a 2 paddle system, my cheaper paddle is almost identical to yours, however I spent about $50 on mine and it's a lot longer, about the same as my Grey Owl Beavertail. I have one of One Tree Dan's Spirit 14's that he kitted out for me as a single paddler and I use my plastic/aluminium paddle exactly the same way you do. Great video, many thanks.
Hi Buck, great to hear about a fellow Onetree Canoe paddler. I do like Dan's 14 footer, very light and a bit more room. Thanks for watching and the Sub. Cheers Paul
Once I tried a offset double with the rubber cups, no going back. Each to their own, but singles are crazy to me, fashion more than function, ok when you have a good amount of current behind you.
I guessed your favorite just glancing over your selection. ;) I bring many paddles when out on the water, but my favorite as well is my odder tail. I had mine custom made from Fishell Paddles and chose walnut with a leather wrap. It is truly a beautiful paddle and effortless in use. Cheers!
I like swift and might be buying a 16ft prospector or kewaydon, but the way they showed the paddles to flex seemed excessive. So there's this guy Fishell paddles. 120$ ottertail, and with a little luck, he didn't whittle on it until 15% of your effort goes into flexing the paddle instead of moving the boat forward.
It’d be interesting to know the difference in weight in your paddles Paul. I’m using a Wenonah Cormorant 147cm which comes in at 615gm. It’s a square bottom paddle and I like it a lot.
Hi Scott, looking forward to seeing your new Sprite! So I went to Grey Owl Paddles website and Badger Paddles website and worked out what I thought was the right length. When I then called Paddle and Portage Canoes they then confirmed the right length for me and shipped it to Brisbane. Websites as follows: greyowlpaddles.com/project/traditional-paddle-overview-and-sizing-information/ badgerpaddles.com/sizing-your-badger-canoe-paddle/ paddleportagecanoes.com.au/collections/paddles/products/grey-owl-sagamore Regards, Paul
Hi Shaun, the double ended paddle is great for punching into the wind or for travelling fast. However, you also end up with a lot of water in the canoe as the water runs off the shaft. Regards Paul
If I’m using my three piece double-ender I set it to zero offset. This stops a lot of the dribbling into the boat. You just have to put up with the wind that you’re catching on the back of top blade when you’re paddling into the wind (come to think of it, into the wind is the only time I use my DE paddle). I’ve made up an third piece extension for the DE that makes it 260cm long. I find this length is best to overcome the wide beam and high gunwales of my boat.
Hi Paul, Somehow I missed this video. Very informative and interesting to hear the distances you are covering. I’m using my canoe mainly for freshwater river fishing over relatively short distances so an otter tail like yours would be wasted on me. I currently use a fibreglass double blade but have thought of adding a single aluminium paddle for close in work. Paddles for me have to be robust as they aren’t treated gently. I look forward to your next adventure.
Hi Kenneth, you need to choose the length to suit your specific height requirements. Website: paddleportagecanoes.com.au/collections/paddles/products/grey-owl-sagamore
I use a telescopic paddle as a spare paddle. It takes up little room. That is a good idea to use your spare paddle to push off from concrete, rocky or gavel launches. I am going to adopt that method.
Thanks Barry, I like the idea of a telescopic paddle. Cheers Paul
Great review, and really helpful to understamd the differences when it comes to the feel and use of these paddles. I've always loved the look of ottertails, but now I actually have a real reason to get one... when I get a canoe with a bench seat 😉. Double-blade 240cm Werner Camano paddle for me everytime in a pack boat! No shoulder issues at all, and being able to feather the blade to suit the conditions is a game changer for those of us with sore wrists!
Thanks Amy, I’ve watched you with your double paddle and I can see some advantages. Cheers Paul
Hi Paul - After watching Amy's videos I have gone from a otter-tail to a double ended and find it great in the bigger waterways like lakes dams etc. Shorter one 2.4m (which I made in 2001) dropped a fair bit of water into the boat but I recently bought a longer on 2.6m and very little water in. Whilst it took a little to get used to is great, I really like it. Funnily enough I bought it for my wife Anita but she did not like it and has stuck with the Otter-tail. We are a two person canoe front is canoe and back is kayak style lol. We love our canoeing. Cheers Morgs
Thanks Morgs, so many options! I must admit I just like the pace of a single paddle and how absolutely quiet and stealthy they are. Cheers Paul
I too have come to really appreciate the craftsmanship of Grey Owl paddles.
I own there Beavertail design for its versatility and absolutely love it.
They're expensive, so not for everyone, but if you use your canoe a lot, appreciate top notch craftsmanship or have a few spare buck and want to treat yourself. Then I think that is money well spent.
I also have adopted a 2 paddle system, my cheaper paddle is almost identical to yours, however I spent about $50 on mine and it's a lot longer, about the same as my Grey Owl Beavertail.
I have one of One Tree Dan's Spirit 14's that he kitted out for me as a single paddler and I use my plastic/aluminium paddle exactly the same way you do.
Great video, many thanks.
Hi Buck, great to hear about a fellow Onetree Canoe paddler. I do like Dan's 14 footer, very light and a bit more room. Thanks for watching and the Sub. Cheers Paul
Once I tried a offset double with the rubber cups, no going back. Each to their own, but singles are crazy to me, fashion more than function, ok when you have a good amount of current behind you.
Good to know, I can see there value particularly in strong wind. Thanks for watching. Cheers Paul
Very good and really enjoyed!! I too really have moved to the Ottertail as my primary when I can!
Thanks Jim
My personal favorite as well is the badger otter tail in cherry. Thanks for the informative video.
My pleasure Jason
I guessed your favorite just glancing over your selection. ;) I bring many paddles when out on the water, but my favorite as well is my odder tail. I had mine custom made from Fishell Paddles and chose walnut with a leather wrap. It is truly a beautiful paddle and effortless in use. Cheers!
Now I need a leather wrapped paddle! Maybe next time. Thanks for watching.
Yeah nice, wondered why U now had that long elongated paddle. Looks like an old style paddle U see used on the Amazon. Nice explanation
Cheers
I like swift and might be buying a 16ft prospector or kewaydon, but the way they showed the paddles to flex seemed excessive. So there's this guy Fishell paddles. 120$ ottertail, and with a little luck, he didn't whittle on it until 15% of your effort goes into flexing the paddle instead of moving the boat forward.
Spot on Michael, any flex is just wasted energy. Thanks for watching. Regards Paul
It’d be interesting to know the difference in weight in your paddles Paul. I’m using a Wenonah Cormorant 147cm which comes in at 615gm. It’s a square bottom paddle and I like it a lot.
Hi Greg, mine weighs 807 grams based on 162cm length as I’m 195cm tall. Thanks for watching. Cheers Paul
Informative video thanks, where did you purchase the cheap paddle?
Cheers
Hey thanks for watching. Picked it up at Anaconda. Cheers Paul
Good info . I enjoyed this .Thank you, Sir .
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Paul. How did you go about choosing the length of your Grey Owl? Busy waiting for my Sprite to be made, so the next step is choosing a paddle.
Hi Scott, looking forward to seeing your new Sprite! So I went to Grey Owl Paddles website and Badger Paddles website and worked out what I thought was the right length. When I then called Paddle and Portage Canoes they then confirmed the right length for me and shipped it to Brisbane. Websites as follows:
greyowlpaddles.com/project/traditional-paddle-overview-and-sizing-information/
badgerpaddles.com/sizing-your-badger-canoe-paddle/
paddleportagecanoes.com.au/collections/paddles/products/grey-owl-sagamore
Regards, Paul
Hey Paul, great video. Do you find that a two sided paddle is harder work compared to the single paddle?
Hi Shaun, the double ended paddle is great for punching into the wind or for travelling fast. However, you also end up with a lot of water in the canoe as the water runs off the shaft. Regards Paul
If I’m using my three piece double-ender I set it to zero offset. This stops a lot of the dribbling into the boat. You just have to put up with the wind that you’re catching on the back of top blade when you’re paddling into the wind (come to think of it, into the wind is the only time I use my DE paddle). I’ve made up an third piece extension for the DE that makes it 260cm long. I find this length is best to overcome the wide beam and high gunwales of my boat.
Hi Paul,
Somehow I missed this video. Very informative and interesting to hear the distances you are covering. I’m using my canoe mainly for freshwater river fishing over relatively short distances so an otter tail like yours would be wasted on me. I currently use a fibreglass double blade but have thought of adding a single aluminium paddle for close in work. Paddles for me have to be robust as they aren’t treated gently. I look forward to your next adventure.
Thanks Ken, there’s a lot of merit to a double blade. Cheers Paul
What’s the total length and the website please
Hi Kenneth, you need to choose the length to suit your specific height requirements. Website: paddleportagecanoes.com.au/collections/paddles/products/grey-owl-sagamore
@@Getgowin thank you just ordered one