: I'm halfway through my first paddle and about 50% of what I've done has gone
: wrong so far... the "twisted shaft, unwound. the feather pattern,
: well.. there isn't a feather pattern any more. But then again about 60% of
: what I've tried on my first kayak went wrong too. (I'm getting better) I
: started calling it my "practice kayak" after the 5th row of
: strips went on, I didn't stop working on the kayak, or the paddle as I
: feel there is a lot more that I will learn. My "simi twisted"
: paddle is made of a 1/4" strips of fir & redwood. We'll see how
: it works.
: Dave

Hey Dave,

Its been my experience - the more that goes wrong, the more you learn. Its nice to have things go exactly as planned, but thats not always the case. Its easy to make things look good on paper, but reality isn't on paper and our selection of building materials isn't perfect.

Below is a pic of the only two Greenland paddles I have made. I made Taz for my wife. Her paddle is 88" long. Wiley Coyote/Roadrunner is my paddle and it is just under 93". They are made from 8' spruce 2x4's -about $3 each. I used some scrap 6oz glass on the blades (over the graphics) to strengthen, but I still managed to crack mine in a knot just above the glass. So . . now its time to "fix it and make it stronger" - I like that!! I don't know what they weigh, but they are much lighter than the aluminum/plastic paddles that we paid much, much more $ for. I won't do that again!! I've got two other paddles started with hollow looms. Maybe one day I'll get around to finishing them.

Anyway, enjoy the process and never, ever think that you're the only one who makes a mistake. The only one who never makes a mistake is the one who never does anything - and that, my friend, is the biggest mistake of all!!

Happy Building.

Charles.