Free beavertail paddle plans

[Boatman53]

I'm another fan of varnish, just don't varnish the upper hand grip.
Jim

 

[memaquay]

A one piece paddle deserves to be oiled. I apply system 3 clear coat to my laminates, with spar varnish on top, but one piecers I only oil. You will want to be careful with the shaft on that paddle. I have busted the shaft on every soft wood paddle I have ever used, except for the old Clements from the 1980's. I've still got one of those, but they built really overbuilt the shafts!

 

[Canotrouge]

The only problem with varnish on soft wood paddles is that when the wood get dented and it will, the varnish tend to peal more easily in that area. I've tried a lot of different ways, and I can tell you that oil is by far my favourite, but it needs to be oiled often, but that is easy since oil is easy and fast to apply. I would still thin and warm up the first coat and let it soak in as long as it take( I would go boiled linseed oil thinned with citrus solvent or mineral spirit 10% and then tung oil for the subsequent coats).

Good luck!!

 

[dogbrain]

I forgot to post a photo of my finished cedar paddle. It's been aging in the cellar along with a carboy of full of christmas homebrew.

 

[Canotrouge]

dang it looks great!! The brew look good to... Nice and dark!!

 

[Murat V]

Paddle (and brew) look great. Thanks for posting!