I'm working on my first bent-shaft canoe paddle, and I'm really excited about it! I want to use eastern red cedar for its lightweight nature and beautiful look. However, since cedar is pretty soft, I'm concerned that it may not hold up well as a paddle shaft on its own. I'm planning to laminate thin strips of cedar with hardwood like ash or cherry for added strength. The blade will also be made of cedar, with some hardwood strips for decoration, and I'll reinforce the whole setup with 4 oz fiberglass and marine epoxy for durability. I'll seal everything with a marine varnish. I have a couple of questions:
1) Do you think the alternating hardwood strips will provide enough strength for the laminated shaft? Any concerns about the lamination sticking together given the differences in wood expansion? I hope the marine varnish will keep it all sealed tight.
2) Will glassing the blade be sufficient to compensate for cedar's softness, preventing it from breaking under heavy use?
2 Answers
I haven't made a canoe paddle before, but I’ve built quite a few Greenland kayak paddles using Western Red Cedar. The only one that broke was my first attempt, and that was due to ignoring a knot. Honestly, cedar is stronger than people think! Unless you're bashing the paddle around a lot, just reinforcing the tips should be fine. I usually add hardwood tips so I can push off rocks without damaging my paddle too much. Also, adding hardwood strips might just add unnecessary weight—if you're going to be paddling for long hours, I’d prioritize lightweight over looks!
You’re on the right track with the fiberglass! If you reinforce both sides of the blade, the middle acts like a spacer, which is how many racing paddles are built—they sometimes use foam inside. Just make sure to keep the wood dry unless it gets damaged. The joint where the shaft meets the bend is indeed a critical stress point, so extending the fiberglass up the shaft is essential for strength. Just a heads up, you'll want to aim for a smooth transition without any lumps once you epoxy it.