How to Build Your Own Kayak Paddle

Learning how to build your own kayak paddle is an impressive woodworking skill to acquire, not to mention just plain fun. As you master the basic construction technique, you can begin to make custom paddles with special touches, such as inlays, carved designs and multiple hardwood grain patterns.

Things You'll Need

  • Two or three 1-inch (or less) thick hardwood planks of different woods
  • One 10-foot 2-by-2, in ash, hickory or other suitable hardwood
  • Power sander and/or planer
  • Rasp and/or draw knife or planer
  • Bungee cords or furniture clamps
  • Saber saw
  • Gorilla Glue or strong epoxy-based wood glue
  • Oil wood stain
  • Paintbrush
  • Paint thinner
  • Marine varnish or clear coat.
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Instructions

  1. Step by Step Assembly

    • 1

      Choose a length for the double-bladed paddle that suits your paddling style. If you are under 5-foot-2, your paddle should be 72-77 inches long. If you are between 5 feet and 5-foot-8, choose a length between 73-48 inches long. If you are taller than 5-foot-6, go for a paddle between 74-80 inches. The higher your paddling style, the shorter your paddle within the range indicated. The lower your paddling style, the longer your paddle needs to be. Cut the 2-by-2 the length you find most comfortable using these guidelines.

    • 2

      Plane one end of the shaft or cut it down with a drawknife or rasp to the same thickness as the hardwood strips you will use to make the blade. Flatten the end for the length of the blade of the style and size you've chosen. Twelve to 18 inches is average blade length. Low paddle styles use long, thin blades. High paddle styles use short, wide ones.

    • 3

      Arrange strips on either side of the flat end of the shaft to the width and length you want. Glue between the strips and shaft to make a flat blade shape. Clamp or wrap the blade with bungee cord to pull the pieces together. Wipe off any excess glue and allow to dry and cure overnight.

    • 4

      Cut the shape of the blade with a saber saw and taper into the shaft. Use a rasp or drawknife to shape the throat of the blade so that it curves into the shaft.

    • 5

      Flatten the opposite end of the shaft, but this time angle it at 75 degrees to the first blade so it feathers when you recover the stroke. Feathering allows the blade to recover over the water parallel to the water and sideways to the wind. This reduces the pressure of the wind pressure against the blade and prevents it from clipping the water accidentally on the recover stroke. Feathering saves energy for the paddler.

    • 6

      Arrange the hardwood strips, glue them together and to the shaft, clamp, wrap with bungee cords, then let it dry and cure overnight. Draw a pattern of the first blade on paper, cut it out and use it to shape the second blade to match. Trim with a saber saw, then use the drawknife or rasp to shape the blade so it blends into the throat of the shaft.

    • 7

      With the drawknife or rasp, round the shaft of the paddle. Sand the whole paddle and thin the blades. Round the corners of the blades and sand with fine sandpaper.

    • 8

      Stain and apply several thin coats of marine spar varnish or polyurethane clear coat. Let the varnish dry thoroughly between coats and polish to a high gloss with surfboard wax.