Well, I decided to try some 'glassed extruded polystyrene paddle blades this weekend. First thing I found out was: be patient for the epoxy to cure and don't use the wife's oven for an autoclave. It doesn't work! I set it on as low a temperature as I could (it was 2 marks below 200* so I figured 150*, fine...well, it was probably closer to 200 or more, and the foam swelled up, big time! My paddle would've looked like one of those things they use on American Gladiators to bonk each other off the big raised tables.

Take 2: the epoxy hasn't reacted with the foam at all, and the glass is lying smoothly and epoxy curing; the blades look promising. I'll probably mount them on a laminated wood shaft. Won't know how well my shape/design works until March or April, though :(

Shawn