On my paddle I was really conservative for fear that I would break it. I left the cedar shaft relatively think (probably over an inch diameter) and laminated it to maple to make it stiffer. My blades are probably 1/2 an inch thick and then glassed.

What type of dimensions are you guys using?

JD

quote jdevries: "On my paddle I was really conservative for fear that I would break it. I left the cedar shaft relatively think (probably over an inch diameter) and laminated it to maple to make it stiffer. My blades are probably 1/2 an inch thick and then glassed.

What type of dimensions are you guys using?

JD "

jdevries,
I also was very conservative on my paddle dimensions for the same reasons you stated. On my most recent paddle the shaft is basswood outer/mahogany center. I used the oil finished paddle all last season and I am now in the process of working the paddle down to more realistic dimensions and it is looking much less bulky. The shaft is about 1" round just under the grip and tapers to 1-1/4 x 1-1/6" elliptical at the throat. The blade now tapers from 3/8" in the center to about 1/8" at the edges. There is just the right amount of flex in the blade. I have a little more work to do in the area of the throat. I want the spine to stand proud of the blade and continue down the center of the blade for a short way. I have so far reduced the weight from 32 ounces to 24 ounces and the appearance is much more pleasing to the eye. I think there is a tendency on the first few paddles to leave way too much wood; at least that is the way it was for me. I am glad that I finished the paddle with Watco Oil finish as it will be quite easy to re-shape down the road and re-oil until I get it right.
Just an idea, but maybe you could sand the fiberglass off the blade with a random orbit sander and re-shape the paddle?
Dick

jd,

I usually have my blades set at about 1/4 inch thickness, fairly flat throughout, with just a "sand-over" at the edges, i also glass the blades however and would leave more otherwise, probably about 3/8 as bd stated.

for the shaft, i think most of it is about 7/8 thick up to about an inch or so at the throat.

The above measurements are approximations as i rarely measure too exactly on any portion of my paddles.

previously, i've been using basswood with a little cedar, and have now moved on to just basswood - yet to use one of these due to ice.

as far as stiffness, they feel great at those dimensions. I was out testing a gift paddle before the owner got it and was doing some really hard ruddering to see what it would do. the paddle straightened out from 7 1/2 degree to what seemed like nothing. I was really surprised at the amount of flex it had. In the end though, it was a great feeling paddle and the owner has gotten a lot of hard bwca use out of it.