Well, since there's little activity on this forum I'm going to assume either everyone has their Winter projects complete, or, you're all working overtime to get it done before ya'll hit the water?
Which?
Anyway, for my first paddle, I'm thinking I'm about done with the physical stock removal of material.
How much does your paddle weigh?
Did you weigh before and after applying epoxy?
Right now I'm at about 30 ounces and 52 inches.
Am I in the ball park?

This forum is not usually a busy posting spot. Every now and then it gets busy (like now). Sometimes weeks go by before you see a new post. So, thanks for keeping the ball rolling

Slackers.

quote KarlBAndersen1: "Well, since there's little activity on this forum I'm going to assume either everyone has their Winter projects complete, or, you're all working overtime to get it done before ya'll hit the water?
Which?
Anyway, for my first paddle, I'm thinking I'm about done with the physical stock removal of material.
How much does your paddle weigh?
Did you weigh before and after applying epoxy?
Right now I'm at about 30 ounces and 52 inches.
Am I in the ball park?"

That is a nice size. It will help build muscle tone. :)

I would shoot for at least the mid 20's, but I have only done a couple.

You are correct, some of us got a late start on the winter projects. Babies and work tend to get in the way. I will be lucky if this gets wet before August.

Hi Karl,

That weight is fine for a hardwood paddle. Warren & Gidmark list the average hardwood paddle at 32oz. The only thing I would inquire about is fiber glassing the blade. The hardwood itself should make that paddle plenty strong and you would save some weight without it. If using softwoods to save a lot of weight, of course glassing makes sense and that is what I've done on a couple I made. Of course nothing wrong with glassing a hardwood paddle, it will be super strong, but if you want to keep it light, foregoing it might be an idea.

Moonman.

Thanks, very much, for that insight.
The blade and handle are a combination of maple, ash and walnut.
I may go ahead and glass/epoxy the abrasion % of the blade - like the perimeter and in about 1 1/2".
Then seal the entire paddle with a couple coats of spar varnish.
Whatdya think?

Hi Karl,

That sounds like a good plan. You can also use a play-doo/plasticine mold to epoxy the blade edges. You can mix in fillers like graphite powder to make it harder. That approach would probably be more abrasion resistant than glass and epoxy but the glass and epoxy would work as well. If you still feel you need more strength overall, you can always glass the rest of the paddle and you'll never be able to tell it was done at a later date.

Moonman.