Replies

1. 
   Dam_inspector | Aug 29, 2009 05:39pm | #1

   I would inlay a piece of hard wood such as ipe into the worn area.
   Use epoxy resin with fiberglass if you go that route, and it can be sanded smooth. I think an inlay would be more durable, attractive, and easiest.

2. 
   RedfordHenry | Aug 29, 2009 06:15pm | #2

   Any fiberglass patch kit will do.  As you said, sand down to bare wood a little beyond the area to be patched.  Also sand the adjacent area (not down to bare wood) to give some tooth in the area where you will feather the resin.   Cut your fiberglass patch and set aside.  Mix a small batch of liquid resin and brush on the bare wood, then press the fabric into the resin, then apply a generous coat of resin over the fabric.  After it dries, sand is smooth.  Then brush another layer of resin over the patch, lapping onto the adjacent area that you previously sanded.  When dry, lightly sand any remaining rough spots and you're good to go.  Another topcoat wouldn't hurt, but may not be necessary.  You don't want any fiberglass strands poking through the final finish, they can irritate, especially wet skin.

   You can topcoat the entire paddle afterwards with poly (or even resin) if necessary, as long as the patched area is sanded (as you would on any clear finish repair).

3. 
   migraine | Aug 29, 2009 06:49pm | #3

   I'd stay away from using any fiberglass on wear areas or you will everntaully be picking out  glass splinters out of your skin and clothing.

   I like idea of glueing in a replacement piece in the wear spot with epoxy adhesive

4. 
   jimjimjim | Aug 30, 2009 08:15pm | #4

   marson,

   just turn the paddle around so the worn spot is outboard.  or change your paddling style.  get a new paddle when the time comes.

   jim x 3

1. 
   IMERC | Aug 30, 2009 08:31pm | #5

   quit scraping it on the gunnel... 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    

   "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

1. 
   Marson | Aug 31, 2009 02:25am | #6

   Thanks for all the replies. No I can't flip it around. It's a bent shaft and don't work backwards.Yes, scaping on the gunnel is a bad habit, but I'm lazy and would rather wreck a paddle than reform. The scrape on the gunnel thing is a pry stroke instead of the usual j stroke. Pretty darn effective way to turn a canoe, though it's hard on the paddle.Not keen on inlaying a piece of something harder. This is a 150 buck paddle and I don't want to weaken the shaft.I'm going to try the fiberglass patch. I have owned other paddles that have fiberglass on the blade and that has held up. Maybe it won't hold up to the banging but I could scrape it off and I am no worse off.

1. 
   Matt | Aug 31, 2009 03:08am | #7

   Your post was off topic so now mine is too... ;-)

   Saw a show on the science channel or some such that went through the entire process of canoe paddle making.  Pretty interesting... :-)

1. 
   Marson | Aug 31, 2009 03:13am | #8

   A good friend of mine used to work in a cabinet shop and he got to make a bunch of paddles. I think they were a combination of ash and old growth redwood. Pretty nice though I broke the one he gave me.

2. 
   BillBrennen | Aug 31, 2009 04:05am | #9

   Marson,The epoxy will adhere better than polyester and it is stronger. You need to varnish over it to protect from the sun's UV. Inlaying a patch of wood is very likely to cause a stress riser that could lead to breakage under hard use.

5. 
   ponytl | Aug 31, 2009 05:23am | #10

   think i'd look for a piece of heat shrink tubing that would fit over the spot... ask a utility guy they usually have some large stuff thats pretty thick... i don't see the fiberglass as the way to go... maybe just an epoxie coating without the glass mat ... i do't see the mat doing anything
   p

6. 
   Huck | Aug 31, 2009 10:24am | #11

   Fiberglass resin is available at Lowe's now.  Get a woven glass cloth.  Feather the edges by sanding between coats.  Final coat you might want to use a roller to apply.  then wetsand and polish.

   Here's a website with useful info.

   http://www.laughingloon.com/epoxy.html

   View Image

   View Image bakersfieldremodel.com
7. 
   skip555 | Aug 31, 2009 04:24pm | #12

   I would epoxy a piece of leather over the spot

   like this Oar leather here

   http://www.woodenboatstore.com/Oar-Leather-Kit/productinfo/690-004/

8. 
   dovetail97128 | Aug 31, 2009 06:04pm | #13

   When I was a kid my old man did just what you are proposing.
   He got tired of six kids beating the shid out of the canoe paddles and breaking them. Paddles had cracks, splits chips etc. Wrapped the blade and 1/2 way up the shaft in FG cloth and coated that with resin.
   Never had a problem with them again but I can tell you that it was rough on the hands.

   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.