: Rob,
: I’m confused. I’ve never seen or used an Aleut paddle, but I was planning to
: make one this winter to try out next summer. Which is the power face?
: According to your description, it appears to be the face without the
: grooved ridge (spine). This is opposite to this link and what I’ve read
: else where(Wolfgang Brinck’s book “The Aluetian Kayak”).
: Thanks, Richard

Sport (euro) paddles have a spine down the back of the blade. I don't see too many people using this as the power face.

Perhaps is was this referance that made me use the flat surface as the power face when i first built these paddles.

However, from a woodworker's perspective the spine is not useful as a powerface. The spine tapers from the loom to the blade tip. This will cause the grain structure of the wood to run out the spine surface like topo map elevations. The pressures and wood flex resulting from using the spine side as the power face will cause failure.

I discussed these issues with David Zimmerly and he said he believed the flat surface is the power face.

If you want picture of my paddle see www.LaughingLoon.com/pad.t.html as well as a number of other spots on my web site.

I know there are people using the spine side as power face. There are as many different interpretations of paddle designs as there are boat designs. How many people follow plans to a tee.

Bottom line, As long as you're having fun ...

Rob