: Hey Randy-

: Thanks for the recommendation on the paddles. A couple of dedicated
: playboaters I know have recommended the Shred, and I've been
: using an entry-level Aqua-Bound loaner in the pool. It's the
: playboaters who are big advocates of the 0* offset paddles, as
: well.

: Here's what I found out with my research on Reg's "cut and
: paste" idea.- Soller Composites says that a ferrule should
: be strong enough, and they have instructions for making one. Jon
: says that you want to end up with a medium weight tube, but that
: he'd recommend using 2-3 layers the lightweight material to
: achieve it rather than using the medium material. I haven't seen
: many take-apart ww paddles, so I'll make an inner tube and
: restore it to solid using biaxial seamless sleeving and
: heat-shrink tubing on the outside. I contacted West Systems
: about adhesion, and they said that 105/207 would stick to any
: paddle, whether it was polyester, vinylester, or epoxy, after
: prepping the bonding area with 80-grit paper. They also said
: that given the fabric choice it would probably end up stronger
: than before the alteration.

: Now to find the right paddle to take apart...

: m

Well you could always dig around and try to find a used Waterstick, my favorite whitewater paddle. Saddly out of production the last I'd heard. It has a fairly wild looking shaft shape ;)

Bill H.