Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Re: Paddle: Foam cores
By:Bill Hamm
Date: 4/27/2009, 12:32 am
In Response To: Re: Paddle: Foam cores *LINK* (Reg Lake)

: Hi Pedro,

: I don't know what the paddle makers use but I have used this Klegecell in 20
: lb density for rudder fins and helmet mold plugs.

: You may want to poke around this site a bit for some answers.

: http://www.diabgroup.com/aao/a_products/a_prods_3.html

: I have also laminated thin balsa sheets between carbon fiber and that works
: only if stiffened sufficiently. Any flex will equal crushed balsa and
: failure. Worked for a Wing paddle but not for a backrest structure.

: Best,

: Reg

In general you want to use higher density foam in thinner sections, for a paddle I'd want at minimum the 20 lb. density (there are structural foams up to around 100 lb/ft3). As per usual this doesn't apply to every situation :)

Bill H.

Messages In This Thread

Paddle: Foam cores
Pedro Almeida -- 4/25/2009, 3:15 pm
Re: Paddle: Foam cores
Bill Hamm -- 4/27/2009, 12:35 am
Re: Paddle: Foam cores *LINK*
Reg Lake -- 4/26/2009, 3:27 pm
Re: Paddle: Foam cores
Bill Hamm -- 4/27/2009, 12:32 am
Re: Paddle: Foam cores
Brian Nystrom -- 4/26/2009, 3:06 pm
Re: Paddle: Foam cores
Bill Hamm -- 4/26/2009, 1:21 am
Re: Paddle: Foam cores
Pedro Almeida -- 4/26/2009, 11:18 am