Additional SUP paddles

The second batch of SUP paddles is ready to ship.
They have three types of handles.  Two are our Boxing-glove handles, a cherry version and a mahogany version.  The third type is a T handle that is pine with an oak dowel.
All of them are oiled and many coats of spar varnish were applied.
We will be visiting the camp at the end of August.

9 Sup paddles ready to ship

Cahokia SUP paddle delivery

Today we delivered a set of sup paddles with custom branding on them to a summer camp.  An additional set will be delivered asap.   We are looking forward to getting some feed back on the blades and seeing how they hold up to hard daily use.

Boxing Glove handles

Here is the process for  fabricating these handles by hand.

SUP paddles: handles

We are building a set of SUP paddles for a camp. The blades are molded, the shafts have arrived and we are designing several styles of handles to try out before we assemble the paddles.

I have always loved wooden paddles but you can't beat the composites for weight, strength and durability.
So we have moved deep into composite manufacturing.  But wood still feels the best in your hand so for now we are sticking with wooden handles.  Oiled wood also is less likely to cause blisters with hard use.

The first is a mahogany handle we call the Boxing glove handle for it's shape.  It's advantage is it's comfort in your hand and that it is made out of mahogany! (Reclaimed of course)
But the biggest plus is the fact that it you can only hold it one way.
For the campers and all SUP beginners this is helpful.  The correct orientation of an SUP blade seems counter-intuitive to some.

Boxing Glove blanks.  The ferrule gets a epoxy/glass wrap and and is cut down to 1.5 inches.

Two Boxing glove blanks.  The one on the right is slightly farther along.

Shop work: molding

We are ramping up production of the SUP blades.  Several improvements have made the molding easier.  Stretchlon is one of the big ones.  It makes the bagging way easier.  And if you are careful removing it, a sheet can be used for several castings.  You just pull it off fast like a Bandaid.
Hey Fabulon, I wish you were here to see it.  (moved to Brooklyn).
Additional items in the shop include a proper MEKP dispenser, more cloth of different weights, peel-ply and a new 5 gallon bucket of Vinyl Ester.

Some weight in the bottom and a small horn cleat make for a handy acetone wash can.