my technique is not sound enough to warrant the use cf in my paddle; no infusion, vacuum or thermo-forming experience. it also does not make sense to me to have cf shaft and not also go all out lightweight on the blade and handle as well. i try to be resourceful and inspire others to work with less. the main reason i am considering a fg shaft is because i suspect it will be less weight than a wood shaft i could make. does anyone have any data to support or reject this assumption?
sup shaft?'s
i have not been able to find a weight comparison of fg vs.cf tubing in same dimensions. i find it hard to justify the added cost when i imagine the fg will weigh pretty close and cost maybe a 1/3 the price. i also have not found any literature that has mentioned anyone using fg shafts to reduce cost. do the fg shafts that one can buy tend to be too stiff for a sup application? assuming people have used fg shafts what thickness wall and o.d. should one use in an ~70" sup paddle; 1.250" x.125" to thick? are there any other possible compromises of using fg for a shaft that i am overlooking?
sup blade?'s
this paddle will only be using for a fishing and be built out of curl maple and fg. does 9" sound okay? also what is a recommended height of the paddle surface; e.g. 9"x 14"?
i also was going to add a little contoured edge to the blade so it could displace more water;i.e. like a spoon. if this is done should i go with a smaller blade or should one just increase the size of a flat blade to yield similar results? it would be much less work to just have the blade flat but i welcome the investment of added time.
thinking about going 12 degree on the bend and will place a ridge down the middle of the blade to stiffen it in an effort to reduce weight a little. more or less bend for fishing paddle?
i imagine i am overlooking some variables and ask they are brought to my attention. thank you for your time.
It appears that you are putting a lot of thought into this project. You might want to think about using a combination of fiberglass and carbon fiber. As you know, carbon fiber is more rigid than fiberglass and way more durable. If you’re thinking of saving money by using only fiberglass for the shaft then I’d strongly suggest you reconsider. One reason is that it will be way heavier since you’ll have to use more layers of fiberglass to equal the strenght of the carbon fiber. Another reason is that it will be very time consuming to lay up all of those layers by hand and if you are going to do it by hand then you might as well use carbon fiber and make it right the first time. We can help guide you as well as the many videos on youtube and paddle specs that you can find from Kialoa, C4 or any other paddle manufacturer out there. If you’re just cruising and fishing on flat water then why not make the entire paddle out of wood? It’s heavier but weight really isn’t an issue at that point. Look forward to hearing more about it.
i am sorry for the confusion about the fg shaft; the idea was to buy an already made shaft and just build the handle and blade. this idea has changed quickly as your feedback has basically convinced me to make the whole paddle out of wood now; thank you.
dwight, i had not seen that link yet, thank you for sharing. the thread makes me want to go out and source a refrigerator compressor again. i saw two different methods for attaching the blade and adding a structural ridge. one used the shaft itself and another used a xps piece that was then laminated to the blade and shaft. i originally was going to make the ridge with wood but using the shaft itself would make the process less laborious. i will continue to evaluate in my mind which may be stronger as i have the time to do either. the thread did have some discussion about the concaved edge of the blade i wanted to do as well. seemed like the concern was the paddle would want to flutter and how it would release? not sure if these problems would manifest in leisure use of the paddle in fishing or more a concern when surfing?
any suggestions on blade dimensions and comments on adding the concaved edge to move more water?