: I agree. Reading through the vacuum bagging manual, I'm thinking there's a
: lot of extra waste, expense, and time for very little gained. About the
: only real advantage with vacuum bagging in the CF GP project is having the
: lay-up pushed down into the mold more firmly to avoid small voids, which
: I'm easily able to fill in with epoxy later.

Having taken a few stabs at it based on Duane's building method, I've found that BB's seem to work pretty well at compressing & tightening up the CF lay-up. Created some +/- 18 quarters now (pitched a couple after my razor blade dove a bit deeper than I cared for at the shoulder) and find that if I take the time to work and knead it, I can get out all of the trapped air between the mold and lay-up. The BB's (guessing 7 to 8 lbs worth) help secure the lay-up to the radius's (radii ?) and edges.

Used the 4 @ 5.7oz lay-up for my first paddle, but folded a blade in the process of a very strong sweep (I'm 185 lbs in a 42lbs 17' Guillemot, attempting to turn the boat 90 degs with one stroke...oops). Guessing the failure had more to do w/ the quality of my taping/welding of the quarters together (got in a hurry), rather than the strength of the lay-up. At any rate, went w/ 6 @ 5.7 oz lay-ups for the last two paddles, as well as taking the time to create nice seams, and am much happier and more secure w/ my results. The difference in weight between the 4 piece and 6 piece lay-ups is hardly noticeable. Like Duane, I tend to be a bit more utilitarian. Believe my paddles to be well built, but my finish is no where near as pretty as Ross's.

Todd