Building a Straight Shaft Laminated Wood Canoe Paddle
The concepts are the same - using epoxy to join shaft pieces together and then blade pieces to the center shaft piece. A handle goes on the top end. Four ounce, plain weave fiberglass and epoxy are applied to both sides of the blade. This layer provides a waterproof surface layer and a great increase in strength. A tip (rock) guard on the blade bottom seals the end grain of the blade pieces and provides protection to the bottom of the blade.
Differences between bent and straight shaft include:
- whether or not the handle works both ways or only one way,
- in most cases two shaft pieces go on either side of the center piece with the blade. On a bent shaft, the blade pieces go on the first (bottom) piece and the four remaining shaft pieces go on top,
- on a straight shaft paddle I find it easier to join the blade and center shaft pieces first, whereas on a bent shaft paddle I like to join the blade and center shaft pieces last.
- Everything you need for two paddles is in a kit. No ripping long thin shaft pieces, no ripping blade pieces. Even electricity is not really needed. Of course, if you have the tools and some experience or an idea of something unique then by all means add it to your paddle build!