I've "built" 2 greenland paddles. On one, I followed some advice I got here a while back. I took a small file (a triangular one) and carved out a notch on the edge of the paddle, at the end and for about 3 inches onto the side. I then got some rope, soaked it in epoxy for 15 or 20 minutes and then laid it into the notch. I smoothed that over with some thickened epoxy and also glassed the two flat sides of the paddle end. Smoothed up the hole thing with sandpaper and it has stood up quite well. On the second, I did more or less the same thing but skipped the rope. I just put some heavily thickened epoxy into the groove and then laid a thin strip of glass over that. Later, of course, I sanded every thing all nice and smooth like. I am pleased with the results.
: Hi,

: I'm new here but thought I could get some good input. I've made a set of
: Greenland paddles and I've sealed the paddle ends of the touring blade
: with gel coat to minimize damage. Not having used the blades yet, the bond
: appears good. Has anyone used gel coat in this capacity on western red
: cedar? How well did the bond hold in saltwater through time? I'm using
: this in lieu of epoxy. Are there good marine epoxies for my purposes
: (didn't want to use 4200 or 5200)? What would you suggest. I'm hoping for
: some insight as to how well the gel coat might/will hold up and what
: (better?) alternatives exist for coating the ends of my storm paddle.

: Thanks, Spencer A. Smith (I'm not a boat maker, hence not a subscriber, so
: off list responses or "cc" to me at
: "spencerarthur@hotbot.com" would be a bonus).