I got a little grumman canoe this summer and used it quite a bit trapping this fall. I just grabbed the paddle out of my trapping boat and used it. It worked but I know a kayak paddle works better, what length would I want to get for a 13 foot canoe??

That depends on Your height and arm length...its a comfort thing.

Maybe not the answer you are looking for , but want to be proficient and look cool because you have advanced padding skills ?
Plus you don't need to buy a kayak paddle , save some cash.

The 'J' stoke. Used by experienced paddlers.
Up your skill level.



Been doing this for years. Blows people's minds because they have never heard of it.

Put the Blade of the Canoe paddle on your toe and find one that the handle is between your chin and Nose.

Learn a J stroke and spend some time on the water and you will have a great time.

Get an electric motor and wave to the guys doing a j stroke as you pass them. Go upstream from the landing checking one side and then return downstream on the other side checking. Make sure to bungee a paddle to the canoe if you decide to get some exercise.

This^^^^^^
The Horn method works if you are 7' tall and have short arms, I like my paddles about about as long my "wingspan" Or roughly a foot longer than I would get with Horn's method.
It will also make a difference if you knell or sit up high.
Kayaks are typically narrower than canoes and the paddles are way too short to be efficient for me in a canoe.

I paddle a 13' Sportspal, square stern, and use a double blade kayak paddle seven and a half feet long. I've also got a standard canoe paddle laying in the canoe for when I'm in tight quarters. Horn's formula above for a single blade paddle works for me. Bolted to the stern is a 2 hp Honda air cooled motor. This make a very nice unit.

When I use the kayak paddle, I'm on my knees. You can really crank with two blades. Well, same goes for the single blade canoe padde. I rarely sit in the canoe and just paddle. If it's a long stretch, the Honda is used and away I go.

IMO the J-stroke is fun when you're canoeing down a river and fishing and feeling rather lazy. Don't mean to step on any toes here, that's just me,.

The length of the boat is irrelevant, you go by your arm length, and height. I always preferred a "Yak" paddle myself for solo, all that switching sides takes a lot more effort.

I'd try to borrow some different length paddles to try before you buy. I got the biggest they sell at Bass pro and still need it another 6-12" longer because of the seat in my kayak.

Here is a simple method of individually sizing a canoe paddle:

While kneeling, orient the paddle vertically on one side of your body, place the grip of the paddle on the ground with blade in the air (paddle should be upside down at this point), if the paddle is the appropriate length the throat (where the blade meets the shaft) should be shoulder height.

This is just a guideline, but gets one very close, minor tweaking of paddle length from this point on is based upon personal preference.

For example: I am 6'4" and prefer a paddle that is on the shorter side for my height. The #1 paddling injury is to the shoulders, a paddle that is too long exacerbates this issue.

For what it's worth,

Teal

For bow steering the longer the better especially if you are paddling alone-you will need the reach.

Good information.

I agree with Muskrat 100%. Paddling a solo canoe for a long time makes one throw all the “rules” about canoeing right out the window. J-stroke when you’re the only one moving the thing forward? Forget it! Save the canoe paddle for an emergency, buy as long of a kayak paddle you can find and make some headway. I haven’t removed the seat out of my solo Wenonah but every time I get in it I am reminded that I need to!

Lol

I hope he has a good hearing doctor! lol

Bryce

I use a Bending Branches Impression Solo that is 280 cm.Ican keep up with my brother when he is using his trolling motor.Also works well when going slower.