Paddle Blade Edge Protection

[Black_Fly]

My new Badgertail paddle is showing a little wear on the tip from some rocky landings. Does anyone dip their tip or run epoxy around it?

 

[Gamma1214]

I don't but, if I were to do it, I'd probably do it like @stripperguy does.

Paddling advice for long, flat, skinny boats

When it comes to paddle length, the shorter the paddle I use the quicker my fore arms tire from correction strokes. I would think that a longer paddle will be a benefit in turning a boat with a flat keel because of the added leverage. I also find that I get more power with a longer paddle...

www.canoetripping.net

 

[Cruiser]

This is how I do mine : https://www.canoetripping.net/threa...composite-paddles-for-2020.120222/post-120735

 

[Stillwater's]

My new Badgertail paddle is showing a little wear on the tip from some rocky landings. Does anyone dip their tip or run epoxy around it?

I do, I just use a basic 2 part clear epoxy in spots to keep the blade sealed.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

This is how I do mine : https://www.canoetripping.net/threa...composite-paddles-for-2020.120222/post-120735

That also looks like a good way to restore a badly damaged paddle.

@Black_Fly , on my paddles carved from a single stick, I've simply painted a thin coat of epoxy on the tip. But I only use them in deep water,so they rarely touch anything harder than a log.

 

[Tsuga8]

How bad is the wear and what's the original finish? Is it actually the wood or just the finish that's worn? If wood, is it dented or actually broken? I've just added layers of varnish to varnished paddles with wear. For dents, a rag with boiling water has swelled the grain enough to mostly take the dents out. But, if you intend to keep using it the same way the expoy route might make more sense.

 

[gumpus]

I think Cruiser's method is the gold standard. If I wanted to try creating an epoxy tip I might try the Play Dough method described on the link.

Securing an Epoxy Tip to a Wooden Paddle - C-Forum

I used to damage and repair my Grey Owl Freestyle paddles regularly and eventually I had Ron Sell at Unadilla Boateorks (SE MI) reshape and retip a couple. I don't know what he uses but he includes carbon fiber strands and the edge protection is much more sturdy than the original epoxy.

 

[Black_Fly]

How many coats of hemp oil are necessary? Seems pretty porous still.

 

[Dana]

FWIW, some wood airplane propellers (yes, they're still made and used) have cast in place polyurethane leading edges for abrasion protection. I don't know the exact process used; depending on the hardness used urethane is very difficult to shape after it's cured but it's much more abrasion resistant than epoxy. Thin brass sheet wrapped around the leading edge is traditional and more common but it's a lot more labor intensive.

This is the tip of a propeller I reworked to alter its performance (removing 1/4" from each tip lets the engine turn about 50 rpm faster); you can see the translucent urethane leading edge.