Help needed for buildign wood paddles...

[SUP Bali]

I actually think it should go in here!!

Hello friends
I just receive my first 2 samples of wood paddles.
We will start trying testing them in the water immediately.
I was wondering if any one know about some kind of stress test that you use for paddles!!
I remember seeing in the old days windsurfing mast with weight attached to see the loading breaking point..
Any help would be appreciated.
Also what would be an acceptable weight for a Wood Paddle....
At the moment we are at 1,1 kilos.
Bye Jankie

[browndog]

I built my first paddle from a very clean spruce stud from Lowes. Go thru the whole damn stack if you have to and pick one or two of the cleanest you can find(as few knots as possible)  Cut (3) 3/8 to 7/16 strips. You will be laying up the strips with 6 oz glass and epoxy so you want the grain to run 90 degrees to the paddle head. Clamp it all up with enough additional wood added at the top to shape a rounded "T" and enough at the bottom to cut the curve to hold the blade. The whole point of the edge grain and the glass is to add stiffness in the direction you will be loading the shaft. A single layer of carbon fiber tape would also suffice.There are also other strong light woods that would work, cedar etc.  whatever is available.  When it all dries cut the shaft to shape with a band saw, a jig saw will not cut square. The size should be approx  1 1/4" x 1 7/16", size to fit your hand. The larger dimension is 90 degrees to the paddle head.The head of the paddle I cut from 1/8" plywood, actually the side of a packing box. I attached the head to the curved angled part of the shaft with a fillet of thickened epoxy and clamps. Router the shaft or spoke shave, rasp, or surform to shape. An oblong feels better than round. Shape the top to whatever fits your hand best. Cover the paddle plywood with 6oz epoxy and glass and clean it all up. Coat shaft with a couple of coats of epoxy and wet sand with 320 for grip. At 6'10" it weighs in at 2lb 1oz, 1oz heavier than a $300 carbon fibre store-bought eqivalent. It cost me maybe $12 and some time and feels a whole lot stiffer.  All those nice woods are for looks and are very time consuming to work with. I hope this is helpful.

[Rogue Wave]

Hey browndog

How 'bout posting some pics.

It's always nice to see what other paddle builders are doing.

Lee