bigfrank said:

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Is there a preferred wood to make paddles from?

Frank.

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Rot resistant preferably and must be lightweight. A lot of newbies don't think about this but your going to swing that paddle hundreds or if you like me thousands of time. Every ounce you can save is a good thing.

Western Red Cedar is my first choice but there are others. Cypress and basswood come to mine. Just stay away from heavy hardwoods.

I have to make a set of oars fro this boat and I am looking at basswood or maybe popular just because that is something I can get easily. Not the best choices but as long as I take care and keep them varnished they will work. Oars can be counterbalanced with some lead in the handles so weight isn't as much an issue.

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I have found how much a boat is used is inversely related to how much it weighs.

Kudzu Craft Lightweight kayaks

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