Cherry Beavertail Paddle Build

[buckisland1950]

Last week I paddled with a group on the Ogeechee and one of the paddlers had a handcrafted paddle with a cherry blade. After a few questions and a good lookover of the paddle the seed was set. I just happened to have a few scraps of flooring that a friend had given me just waiting on a project. I wanted to try a straght shaft with a beavertail shape. I have a Carlisle paddle that looks pretty close to what I want so I am using that for a pattern.

Pictures to follow when I remember to take a few.....

 

[oldsparkey]

No questions , No Comments/suggestions , You have in your mind what you want to do ....

Me , I'm just looking forward to the pictures.

Chuck.

 

[buckisland1950]

Settle back, Here we go!

Just a few pictures:

Paddle Glue Up.

Shaping the Blade

Shaping the Shaft

Ready to glue on the Grip

Pieces for the Grip

Grip glued up

More to follow.

 

[Kayak Jack]

These paddles are a real joy to look at.

"A thing of beauty is a joy for life."

 

[buckisland1950]

Expanded the shop

Last month I used limited time and expanded my shop. I really wanted to tear down the old and start fresh but went ahead and just modified the existing shop. I am not use to being able to move around and work on projects without stumbling on tools or having to move everything outside so the new space is great.

Inside shots

Half of the new expanded shop.

The Other Half.

 

[buckisland1950]

Outside of the new addition

Outside shot of the new shop.....

 

[buckisland1950]

More work done on the paddle

Had some more time today so I did a little more on the paddle.

Grip shaped and sanded

Blade shaped and sanded

1st coat of Epoxy

Rock Guard

 

[Kayak Jack]

Franke, those beaver tail paddles are very quiet in use.

 

[rpecot]

Nice looking paddle.

I enjoyed the junior-sized paddle I built last year. Need to do another one.

 

[buckisland1950]

That's all folks

Pretty much the finished product

Closeup of the Blade

All's that left is to get on the water and try it out!

 

[rpecot]

How did you finish it? From one of your posts above, you mentioned epoxy. Did you epoxy the entire paddle?

This was something I struggled with when I made Ethan's paddle. I read varying opinions about oil vs. varnish. I settled for something in between. Varnished the paddle face. Oiled the shaft and handle. The oil is certainly easier on the hands, but for a paddle being used more frequently I would probably varnish the whole thing.

 

[buckisland1950]

I epoxy the whole thing then finish it off with varnish for UV protection. I usually paddle for 12 miles or so in a day and haven't had a blister yet. Not into racing so that might change my mind on oil but for low to no maintenance, I'll stick to what I'm doing now.

 

[rpecot]

...for low to no maintenance, I'll stick to what I'm doing now.

That's pretty much where I landed on the subject.

Thanks.