: Id like to get there - but I think moving slowly is the way to go. I have a
: lot to learn about truss structures/core materials, finishing, and
: production building. The lamination part is here for me - now it's as much
: materials and production as anything else.

I really like Risto's suggestion--don't forget if Steve is selling them, likely his students/customers will have some sort of familiarity with what they're after. Why build 4 paddles at $50 apiece, if you can sell one for $200. Like Joe's kayaks...he probably doesn't spend twice as much time, but he can sell them for twice as much.

People are fickle. If you have one design in the store, most people will want paddles similar to that. My brother said that in the drift boat business, customers can have their choice of a whole palette of hull colors. Most customers pick the same color as the shiniest recently-completed boat sitting beside the shop. They'll have 6 hulls in a row painted black, then a spate of cream-colored hulls, then a run of forest green.

: In my experience, Ive never used a paddle for more than a few months. It's
: always some tweek or another, so I make another. I feel like I'm getting
: close to what I think are really nice paddles - for me. That doesnt
: address everybody, and I'm not sure that offering a custom-built paddle to
: one who is new to the Greenland style is the way to go.

I don't think that many people are going to go Greenland cold-turkey. They're probably going to borrow one from a friend, and then decide to try it. If that friend happens to be paddling a Don Beale Special, then they'll want one just like it. Comp a bunch of paddles to Steve. Build them to a design he appreciates, or one that you two mutually agree upon. If he's teaching with them, students will want similar ones.

: Perhaps it would
: be best to send them a demo, for two weeks or so, and then have them tell
: me what they dont like about it. Often that information would be more
: valuable I think.

Those are subtleties that probably only a more experienced paddler could tell you. A rank novice will be working so hard on simply learning the style that nuances of paddle design will be lost to them.

:At least that's what has driven me, from major
: considerations such as overall length, to subtle ones such as 1" vs
: 1-1/4" on the loom width, shoulders or no shoulders, and tip shapes.
: It would be an expensive way to do buisness, but ultimately I think of a
: custom-built thing as to be suited to the individual's needs and his boat.
: A subtle change, like 1/8" on the loom dimensions, can make a big
: difference.

: I dont know. Perhaps if I limit the options, so I can have blanks laminated
: up and ready to carve, it would be the best of both worlds.

I was encouraged to produce custom fiberglass seats. This person told me they thought I could sell them for $150-200 at symposiums. I don't think I could build and fair molds at a price that folks would be willing to pay. However, while that mold was made originally from a sand impression of my own butt, I have yet to speak to anyone who didn't find it comfortable. A narrow range of choices might be the ticket. Small, medium, and wide or something.

You could also offer one line of paddles with a decent selection, and offer a true custom paddle for $100 more that you laminate and carve to the purchaser's directions.

Shawn