With more and more people using Kayaks and solo paddlers using double blade paddles I wanted to talk about a product that might be of interest. Ever had a double blade paddle get you wet from the water running down the blade to your lap? I know there are those rubber things that divert the water from the blade but they work part of the time. If its windy out you still get wet and your hands get wet to. One trip I took my hands got soaked from the double blade paddle, and then I got big blisters on both hands. Well you worries are over. Last year I ordered a product from Rust-oleum, a two step spray. Base coat and a top coat in two spray cans. It is a super hydrophobic treatment that dramatically repels water. An untreated paddle blade when dipped in the water and raised out of the water will run off the blade for a few seconds. We have all seen this a million times. But a treated blade dipped in the water and raised out of the water will only drip a drop or two of water. Some times even no drops of water come off a treated blade after it was underwater. If this is a problem for you too you might want to check this product out. Two things to consider if you apply this. It leaves a grey film from the product, if you scratch the blade you will need a quick touch up spray to bring it back to waterproof. These two things were not a problem for me last year. One kit will treat four of my paddles. Rust-Oleum Never Wet Spray

That is interesting. I think I’ll check that out. I like using a yak paddle sometimes, even on an exercise cruise around my local lake, but always disliked how much water it brought in the boat and on me with just a little wind. It’s also handy on a lake crossing in high waves cuz it allows you to make instant adjustments. But if you have gear on a trip it’ll get wet on the bottom from the puddle it makes. And it doesn’t take long. That’s why I mostly have used a canoe paddle lately. But if this works I’m gonna try it out. Thanks! That’s cool.

I tried it, once. Works great for a short while but did not last long at all. I used it on some boots. The way they advertise it you would think it’s one of the great wonders of the world. My two cents.
Tom

Interesting. Could be worth a try on my paddle. I have often thought it would be nice if it shed water more quickly.

If it repels water so much can I treat one side of the blade and then just hold it in the water and rocket forward? Or backward if I turn the blade around?

tumblehome: "I tried it, once. Works great for a short while but did not lat long at all. I used it on some boots. The way they advertise it you would think it’s one of the great wonders of the world. My two cents.
Tom"

It does scratch off then just a quick spray and you are back to repelling water again. I reapplied it once in a paddling season. I don’t think that’s too bad. Never Wet spray on a kayak blade

It does what it says it will do.
But it does not stand up to abrasion well and scrapes off easily. That said, even with 1/2 of it scraped off your blades will drip, well, 1/2 as much.

Does it leave any kind of a film on the water?

WonderMonkey: "If it repels water so much can I treat one side of the blade and then just hold it in the water and rocket forward? Or backward if I turn the blade around?"

:) :) Yes, and you'll go that much faster for each coat you apply!!!

Savage Voyageur: "

tumblehome: "I tried it, once. Works great for a short while but did not lat long at all. I used it on some boots. The way they advertise it you would think it’s one of the great wonders of the world. My two cents.
Tom"

It does scratch off then just a quick spray and you are back to repelling water again. I reapplied it once in a paddling season. I don’t think that’s too bad. Never Wet spray on a kayak blade "

An when it "scratches off" where exactly does the 1-Chloro-4-(Trifluoromethyl)Benzene end up? In the pristine waters you paddle through. At least your lap is dry.