: I have a new storm paddle, that I made a little shorter so it'd fit on the
: fordeck, and be better for a sliding stroke.

: Unfortunately, I chose the wrong blank - a nice piece of tight-grained old
: growth fir, that weighs a ton. I cant believe how much this thing weighs,
: but I dont have a scale and even if I did I'd be too embarrased to post
: the number.

: I'm thinking I could block it onto a flat 2x6 and run it through the planer,
: take it down on both sides to about 3/8" thick, leaving the shape and
: the edges. Than laminate cedar, or redwood, or *gasp* buy some spruce and
: laminate that, and then reshape it.

: Has anybody tried this? I dont see why it wouldnt work, and while the result
: might still be heavier, it would be a lot lighter than it is now. And,
: it'd have nice tough edges. In the worst case, I'd ruin it, which would
: make it only a little harder to duplicate.

: And, since Ive taken to numbering my blades to keep track of them, I think
: this one is #11. Would it then become #13 in its new incarnation, or would
: it retain #11 since the shape is the same? The markings would be planed
: off...

Hey Don

I'd keep it actually. Sounds like an excellent endurance paddle. Use it to build up some strength and stamina, but leave it home when you are seriously paddling somewhere. I wouldn't waste any good wood by laminating it to that Doug-fir. Just laminate your other wood and make a good one for the "Storm."

Rehd