Paddles...

Post questions & answers about; paddle selection, building and maintenance; paddling techniques; boat transportation, storage & maintenance.
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jess_hawk
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Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:35 am

Paddles...

Post by jess_hawk »

I am preparing to build my first kayak and am wondering about paddles. All of my kayaking experience thus far has been with a borrowed kayak and a borrowed paddle, so I am unsure of what type of paddle I prefer for a kayak. How easy or hard are paddles to make? Basically, would it be worth my while to make several different lengths and styles of paddle out of cheap materials and then when I find one I like remaking it out of nice materials, or should I just go buy a paddle and deal with it?
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Bryan Hansel
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Post by Bryan Hansel »

Sometimes, when you take a class, the outfitter will have several different styles and sizes of paddles for you to try. The place I work for has paddles that range in size from 220 to 240. I also often carry a Greenland Paddle for people to try if they want to.

Greenland paddles are easy to build and cheap. You can crank one out in a day and see if you like it. It's a bit different stroke than a Euro paddle. You angle the top of the blade forward and to bottom backwards and use more of a stomach crunch torso rotation deal.

A document on how to build one is here: http://www.qajaqusa.org/QK/makegreen2.pdf
And a video here: http://www.carvegp.com/

I just posted a new article on Nessmuking that details how Richard F. Hayes makes kayak paddles. These might be a nice way to go if you want to make a bunch. http://www.nessmuking.com/paddle.htm

For a general all-around length, you should just be able to reach up to the top blade when the paddle is help straight up and down and just curl your fingers around the tip of the paddle. Try not to stretch you body too much when doing this. I get about 215 to 220 when I do this and I'm 5'10". My current paddle, which I built is 212. I wrote about building it here: http://www.nessmuking.com/twist.htm The blade has a ton of surface area. I may just it down a bit or build a new one. Even with the carbon fiber it was around only $30 or so.

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adambolonsky
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building a paddle with carbon fiber

Post by adambolonsky »

Bryan Hansel wrote:Even with the carbon fiber it was around only $30 or so.
Hi Bryan,

I searched the forum for a reference to Duane Stokaser who has also developed a method for building paddles with carbon fiber. Nothing showed up.

Several months ago I wrote a blog post about his method, including links:

http://paddlingtravelers.blogspot.com/2 ... addle.html

He's also adopted his method to Greenland paddles, using the flange and mold method.

Has anyone else seen Duane's site?
Sea Kayaking Dot NetSafety tips, pointers and how-to's for sea kayakers.
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Bryan Hansel
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Post by Bryan Hansel »

Yes, I actually use his method for building the carbon blades on my twisted shafts. I believe that I link to his article from mine. I believe that my twist shafts offer one of the strongest ways a home builder can make a feathered paddle.
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pawistik
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Re: building a paddle with carbon fiber

Post by pawistik »

adambolonsky wrote:I searched the forum for a reference to Duane Stokaser who has also developed a method for building paddles with carbon fiber. Nothing showed up. ....
...Has anyone else seen Duane's site?
Is this what you were looking for: http://www.rollordrown.com/kayak/paddle.html
and this: http://www.rollordrown.com/kayak/gstick.html
adambolonsky
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Re: building a paddle with carbon fiber

Post by adambolonsky »

pawistik wrote:
adambolonsky wrote:I searched the forum for a reference to Duane Stokaser who has also developed a method for building paddles with carbon fiber. Nothing showed up. ....
...Has anyone else seen Duane's site?
Is this what you were looking for: http://www.rollordrown.com/kayak/paddle.html
and this: http://www.rollordrown.com/kayak/gstick.html
Yup, thanks pawstic.

Adam
Sea Kayaking Dot NetSafety tips, pointers and how-to's for sea kayakers.
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