Dan,

To tell you the truth, I notice that that boat was a bit too beamy to use with a Greenland-style paddle, but I didn't want to offend you or something by suggesting that after having put all that time into the paddle. As much as I like Greenland-style paddles, I would recommend trying a euro paddle with that boat. A euro paddle is held higher and should result in less banged-up knuckles. The Greenlanders and Aleuts did paddle beamier boats, but when they did they used longer paddles -- like 7 or 9 feet. They were used for carrying large loads. The most recent issue of Sea Kayaker has I believe had plans for a really large East Greenland kayak, which used a long paddle which was supported on the coaming as you paddled. Anyway, this is getting off-topic, but I should say that I banged up my knuckles on the coaming and bungees of my Arctic Tern (23" beam), but bang knuckles and snag the bungees a lot less frequently on my lower-volume 21.5" beam Outer Island. A narrow paddle really goes best with a narrow, low boat.

Make your next project a paddle per Nick's instructions in his book -- a good project for this winter. You really didn't think you were done building, did you? You're addicted just like the rest of us!

Dean