Canoe Blade

[Rob Hilton]

Does anyone carry a Canoe blade (Not a Paddle) when they float tube. I was thinking it could come in very handy in the event one loses a fin and is a considerable distance from shore?

I was thinking the blade would work much better than the standard paddle. Any ideas appreciated.

And… Yes I always Tether my fins but just in case...

Thanks

[Leo Nguyen]

Yep. I always carry one of the blades with me. There are many time that one of my fins slipped off, floating away due to high wind and water currents. Kicking to catch up is not an option. The canoe single blade is the best way to catch up.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

What is a "canoe blade," if not a paddle?

[Leo Nguyen]

You say tomato, I say potato..LOL Just kidding. Some refers to the blade as a dedicated design paddle for the canoe. We loosely use the word paddle to inter-exchange the dual paddles designs for touring canoe and kayaks into a single paddle (the blade) dedicated for canoe function. I have a Hobie and a Werner Skagit that can be converted from dual paddles to single blade with handle for canoe/emergency float tube function, which also has been used slam the snakes on the water if I don't want to break my rod.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

SO maybe one of those collapsible "paddles" would be a good addition to the float tubers kit?

[Leo Nguyen]

Yep. Good have in the back of the float tube for a multi-purpose tool. You'll be surprised how often you tend to use it.