DIY Greenland Paddle

[kayak karl]

DIY Greenland Paddle made from these designs http://www.qajaqusa.org/QK/makegreen2.pdf.
im not finished, but could not wait to share LOL

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/48308/2250111100104593866S500x500Q85.jpg

cut from 2x10 to avoid knots.

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/19982/2264325840104593866S500x500Q85.jpg

cut in handle (shaft)

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/46352/2350257570104593866S500x500Q85.jpg

tapered paddle sides

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/49069/2118015470104593866S500x500Q85.jpg

need to sand and seal it and get it in the water, but i had a good 4th making it :lol:

[rcurry]

They look great! Let us know how you like them on the water. How heavy are they and what kind of wood did you use?

[kayak karl]

im up to coat 4 on the sealant. im diluting it so it soaks in. didn't weigh it.
bought the wood at home depot. said hem fir, but probably a spruce/hem fir hybrid.

[kayak karl]

finished

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/48093/2739802450104593866S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/46026/2225537330104593866S600x600Q85.jpg

took it out today, but i need to read more about the Greenland paddling style. it was awkward and slow, but im not giving up. know any good advice on this?

an starting on a new paddle this weekend.

isn't it shiny:D

[thecampingman]

It looks great Karl. How big is it? Judging its' size next to the porch it looks to be eleven feet or so.:)
How is your paddle #2 going to be different?
Seeing your post inspired me to make my first paddle. I made mine out of a warped western red cedar 2x4. It was a problem getting a straight paddle out of a warped board but I did it.
I'm not posting pics of mine on the internet. It didn't come out as nice as yours. But that's OK as it's just an experimental model. I'm trying to get the dimensions right. I knocked it out in an afternoon. I have a bandsaw to take off the bulk of material. I want to borrow a power plane before I start the next one. I may build 3 or 4 before I get it right. The others will become "loaner" paddles.

I don't care much for the cedar. In the first place it was grade 2 lumber with lots of knots. And it feels so flimsy. Not at all like the spruce paddle I had borrowed. Sanding it I was afraid of snapping it in two. It'll flex 6" from tip to tip.

I can't offer any suggestions about your "awkward & slow" statement. The one I tried was incredibly light & easy. fast too, keeping up with my pardner's carbon-fiber wing paddle. Once I got up to speed that is. It kind of lags in acceleration.
The guy that owned the paddle I'd borrowed kept telling me "You have to rotate your torso! Keep the zipper on your life vest moving back and forth! Arms out straight!" (Which is pretty much how I paddle anyway).

I'm looking forward to your second paddle. Post more pics.
I havn't tried my paddle. Can/don't-want-to paddle right now. So I'm gathering info on how my second one could be improved.

Thanks for the post.
Dave