A Homemade Canoe Paddle

Canoe paddles are made out of two different types of wood, which are then smoothed and curved. It looks like something a professional would have to do. The truth is; it is something a novice can do. Take your time and work step by step to make your own, homemade, personalized canoe paddle.

  1. Woods

    • Sit upright in the boat that you intend to use your paddle. Measure from your nose to the seat with a tape measure. This will be the length of the shaft of the oar. Add this distance to the length of your paddle fin to get the length of your oar. Find two straight boards, lacking knots, of two different suitable wood types, six feet longer than your paddle length; perhaps spruce, ash, fir or maple.

    Crude Construction

    • The ends of the boards are cut off, as ends tend to fray. The boards are cut into a prime number of strips; five, seven or nine. A single long strip is cut for the center line -- the paddle handle and frame for the fin. The other strips are glued and clamped into place with epoxy, alternating wood types from the center line, making a crude, boxy paddle.

    Templates

    • A template for half of the paddle fin is laid on the center line. A pencil is used to trace the template, and a mirror image is made on the other side of the fin with the template. The fin is spokeshaved into shape, with 45-degree beveled edges and three-eighths of an inch thickness. The handle is shaved into an octagonal shape then sanded into an oval cylinder. The butt-end is shaped with sandpaper.

    Finish

    • Boiled linseed oil, tung oil or a mixture of both is recommended for finishing and sealing the paddle. Oil gives the wood a soft touch for your hands. Linseed oil can be mixed with crushed charcoal for added weather protection. Multiple coats are recommended. Do not let the oil application dry between coats, as this will seal the wood and will prevent it from absorbing any more.