I purchased the Bending Branches Arrow paddle two weeks ago. After a week of daily use, the polyurethane has rubbed off around the handle and the neck and the wood has begun peeling off in the area where the neck of the paddle hits the gunwale of my canoe for a J or Canadian stroke. I have a few hypothesis for why this is happening and I'd love to know what people think could be most likely.

1. The paddle is cheaply made and cannot withstand heavy use
2. The paddle is brushing against the gunwale in areas where the gunwale is a bit rough from clamping metal fishing rod holders
3. The paddle is defective
4. I am utilizing the gunwale too much in my stroke corrections

I would also love to hear what folks think would be a good solution. Perhaps:
A. Buy a better paddle
B. Sand and reapply Polyurethane
C. Duct tape the gunwale to avoid scraping the rougher areas
D. Duct tape (or grip tape) the paddle where it meets the gunwale
E. Learn how to paddle properly

Improve your stroke so as to not routinely contact gunwale. If gunwale has rough spot try to smooth it. Paddle should be easily repaired by sanding it smooth and refinishing. But first work on improving your stroke, should be no need to be contacting the gunwale.

I have had many BB paddles and even the inexpensive ones have held up well. So I doubt it is a defective paddle.

Great to know its fixable thru improving apaddle technique.

Yeah, that is not peeling it's more like being gouged on a sharp edge. You should not contact the gunwale with the paddle during a stroke.

butthead

Yep, I think deerfoot and butthead nailed it. I think the shaft may be basswood which is a relatively soft wood. A little sanding and a little polyurethane or oil will seal it and you don't have to be fanatical about the polyurethane since that area doesn't get constant exposure to water. Remember the "stacked hands" mantra...your grip hand should be directly above your other hand. That will also help drive your boat straight and avoid wasting energy. If you like you can also buy a short section of clear tubing (maybe two feet) and slit it and attach to your gunwale to cushion/protect the paddle in the area that's getting chewed up while your practice your paddling technique. 1 1/4 inch tubing fits most boats well.

Get your top hand over your bottom hand during the power phase of the stroke.

Really focus on never having it touch the canoe. Or alternative is you could buy a paddle that is not wood in that area and then continue to use it like you have been.

If using a more "traditional" Canadian stroke, some use the gunwale of the canoe to pry the correction portion of the stroke.
I am sure some of you are familiar with Wintertrekker on YouTube, here is a video showing him using this stroke. He has worn the wood on the gunwale, and has wrapped the paddle in the area it makes contact. If the link doesn't start there, go to about 3 minutes in to see it.
Wintertrekker Canadian stroke

Yall are awesome! I am a bit of a newbie to paddling (I got used to using a trolling motor for fishing with my canoe) so really great to get feedback on my paddling technique. I'm excited to get out today and continue practicing.

Welcome to bwca.com, clarosee! Lots of gentle, helpful advice here from experienced paddlers. Of course, some strong opinions, too, but that's to be expected, I guess... :-)

It definitely is not a defect in the paddle.

I use the gunwale as a pry occasionally but the paddle is already touching the gunwale when I make the pry. My paddle has a cedar/ash shaft and there is wear at that point on the paddle but it is completely expected. I re-varnish with spar marine varnish after every couple hundred miles.

Spar varnish is made for outdoor use and is a little softer and more flexible than indoor poly. The stuff you put on a wood floor is real tough but brittle and yellows fast outside.

Tom

Rockwood Outfitters also has a good video on j-stroking out there on the water.

The paddle in question looks like it’s made from Ash. That is the same wood that baseball bats and hockey sticks are made from. That is very hard wood. It is not cheaply made at all.

The problem is with your canoe and your stroke.

1) You need to find the rough area and use a metal file or sandpaper to smooth it out.
2) There is only one paddle stroke I remember that has the paddle next to the canoe, and it’s used like a pry bar force the canoe sideways fast. You should NEVER hit the side of your canoe with a paddle. It’s loud like banging a gong. It’s also inefficient to propel your canoe, hit the side and your paddle slows down.

It sounds like there’s something wrong with your stroke. It could be you need to lower or raise your seat, lengthen or shorten your paddle, or just reach out farther past the gunnels of the canoe. Have someone go beside you and watch your stroke, maybe give you pointers.

One of my paddles ended up like that after a teen newbie used it on a trip... You will get the hang of it now that you know what NOT to do. But in the meantime, I like the idea of putting the plastic on as a reminder. You can also use a pool noodle where you will not be able to slide along it with the paddle but maybe just having it as a buffer will remind you and it could be easier than the plastic.

Good luck!

Another fix would be to put a protective wrap on it like Hoop has on his paddle in the video.

protective wrap video

Just an FYI--I have sent a couple BB paddles that had seen a lot of action to BB to have them refinished and they came back looking like new. Not expensive at all.

your just rubbing on the canoe edge . i'd just sand it down and revarnish it with your choice of poly eurathane [ they have new good stuff out , with no runs. that will blend in easilly. or rub in linseed oil. i can make a argument for either method. my axe handles get linseeded to keep them solid and prevent drying out and snapping.