cracked paddle blade

TonyB · Post by **TonyB** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:20 am

ok lets talk paddles.
I cracked my newish Werner Natahala blade
I stupidy pushed off with my blade and put a crack in it as it flexed.
there is crack 1/3 the way up the blade about an inch wide perpindicular to shaft. On other side the crack is 2-3 inches wide. There is an almost hinge like flex in one direction at the crack of just a few degrees, but I haven't tested if there a breaking point.
Werner said send in paddle at my cost and will be about $100 for a new blade, he didnt seem to think repair was an option .

any suggestions?

c1swim · Post by **c1swim** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:03 am

Ask them to stand behind their product and fix it for free.
If they balk, remind them that they could have a lifetime customer or not.

Paddle Power · Post by **Paddle Power** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:10 pm

Connect the store where you bought it.
Connect Werner.

ezwater · Post by **ezwater** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:34 am

It could be fixed, but it would add some weight, and it might not feather quite as cleanly. And, if you don't already own the West epoxy, the pumps, and the glass, you'll end up paying dam near as much as Werner wants to put on a new blade.

I love fixing wooden and wood core blades, but glass and synthetic blades are hard to finish as cleanly.

Larry Horne · Post by **Larry Horne** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:55 am

paddles break. period. throw it in the corner and get a new one.
i've got a stack of broken paddles in my garage that is actually fun to look at. ...kind of like trophies.

TonyB · Post by **TonyB** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:59 am

Whats a good wood/ wood core blade?
We're still in or infancy here (first season in open boat) and my coconspirator is leaning towards wood blades
but around here the only wood paddles I can find are for lakes and seam really thick in the blade and a little fragile..
I did pick up a Harmony paddle I like for quieter streams but the blade seams rather large and I think It'd splinter apart on the creeks.

I had a thought to trim the blade and add some sort of coating,
Can you get thin kevlar or fiber strips to reinforce?
If so theres gotta be a how too out there, cooler weather is coming and if theres a time for projects its soon.

philcanoe · Post by **philcanoe** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:35 am

how newish?

Usually they warranty pretty good... except for their foam cored paddles, which they will not stand behind (buyer beware) very well at all