: Metal or plastic?

: I was with you up to the 'clearing the shear line' bit. For greatest impact I
: laid up some carbon fibre dustbin lids and attached them to an ovaled,
: hollow, unobtainium shaft. In order to get an efficient stroke with this
: setup I was forced into such severe wrist movement that I am forced to
: give up all paddling for several months. I have discovered that a Personal
: Water Craft (PWC) is much more efficient than paddling and no more
: annoying than my normal personality. I may never go back.

If you are having problems with clearing the gunwhale then you are not using a long enough broom handle Ken. Re: metal or plastic, I feel that the old style galvanized iron lids are most in keeping with the DBL traditional style.

Et