Repairing wooden paddles

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY

It’s fall, and that’s when most people haul their canoe or kayak ashore for the last time and forget about the paddles until next spring. But it’s a good time to inspect and repair any lightly damaged wooden paddles. It makes for a rewarding fall or winter project, and as you sand and varnish you’ll hatch new plans for next summer on the water.

Most simple paddle repairs involve deep scratches, chipped or splintered blades, and even small cracks. These can build up over long-term active use, but they’re easily repaired.

WATER STAINS

Start by examining your paddle thoroughly: from blade to shaft to grip. A grey cloudy appearance on the wood may indicate that moisture is penetrating into the wood, a sign of future trouble. During this examination you could discover the paddle requires more extensive repair – but that’s outside the reach of this article.

GENERAL SANDING

After you check it out, sand any parts of your paddle that are scratched, worn or chipped until they are smooth. Begin with medium grit sandpaper (#80), and finish with fine grit (#100-#150). Sand until all discolouration disappears. If you’re reconditioning the entire paddle, sand away all the old polyurethane. Then run your hand over the entire sanded area, feeling for rough areas that need more work.

Sand in the direction of the grain, not against it, for a more professional finish.

Then take a slightly dampened cloth to wipe away all the wood dust from the sanded paddle. Then apply a very thin coat of marine-grade polyurethane or varnish. After it has dried completely (don’t rush it!), apply a medium-thick coat. (Some people like adding three or four coats of polyurethane but this adds unnecessary weight.) Finish by gently buffing your paddle with very fine steel wool dipped in paste wax.

DAMAGED BLADE TIP

Paddle blade tips get chipped and nicked when you ram them into rocks and gravel – that’s life afloat. Sand these out aggressively, smoothing out rough edges. Then finish the job by applying two or three coats of polyurethane.

SERIOUS CRACKS

What to do about a cracked blade? If the crack is small, not gaping open and expanding, merely sand any rough spots so sharp edges don’t catch on clothing. Then run a coat of polyurethane into and along the crack to seal the wood against water. After that, a second coat of polyurethane over the crack will further seal it enough to last years longer.

A long, gaping crack requires fibreglass, but this adds weight, which I don’t like. In this case, use it as a backup paddle, or hang it on the cottage wall – an honoured symbol of all the great trips you’ve enjoyed.

CRACKED SHAFT

Replace it, don’t try to repair it. You can’t trust it to bear weight. It’s likely to split completely at the worst possible time.

Maintaining canoe and kayak paddles requires a clear work area, a slow pace, and love. A paddle is a work of art, central to Canadian identity. Relish your labour of love and dream about upcoming trips.