I recently tried my hand at paddle making, going with a couple of Greenland style kayak paddles. I made them long enough for use with my canoe. We'll see how well they work out.

The one on the left is 100" long and made of ash. I applied some epoxy at the tips, and the rest is finished with spar varnish. The other paddle is 106", and made of cedar. I'm still thinking about how to finish that one.

If anyone is interested, there are some excellent free videos on Greenland paddle construction at the Cape Falcon Kayaks website. I had fun making these paddles. They aren't perfect, but they'll do me just fine.

Greenland Paddles

Nice!!

My first try also. Still need to work on the grip, and more sanding on the shaft to get the size right and weight down.

Trying to learn from my mistakes on this first try, entirely from one $3.50 pine two by four. If it comes out halfway decent then I'll consider using some ash and cedar I have. Don't want to ruin a $18 cedar board if I don't have to.

If this first version comes out bad, I have a firepit. Or I'll hang it in the man-cave.

johndku: "My first try also. Still need to work on the grip, and more sanding on the shaft to get the size right and weight down.

Trying to learn from my mistakes on this first try, entirely from one $3.50 pine two by four. If it comes out halfway decent then I'll consider using some ash and cedar I have. Don't want to ruin a $18 cedar board if I don't have to.


If this first version comes out bad, I have a firepit. Or I'll hang it in the man-cave.

"

Nice job!

A workbench covered in shavings...looks familiar.

Kind of funny. Didn't take my first BWCA trip until 2015 at 56 years old with my then 9 year son. (Long drive from Ohio) That trip we utilized an outfitter for everything, gear, canoe, food, etc.

Got hooked so bad, now own 4 CCS packs, decent quality tent, bags, pads, water filter, and other necessary gear, and trying to make my own paddles and dehydrate my own food. The BWCA got it's hooks into me and won't let go!

Wish I could see them.

Savage Voyageur: "Wish I could see them. "

Sorry, trying this again...