Harold, >Hank - what say you? If you are listening, you must have some better >suggestions than these. I don't. I have not, and others I know who've tried it, also haven't had any luck with the soaking method, but it might work sometimes, given a long enough soak. It depends on what the "glue" is that is holding the thing together. We've actually not had a lot of problem with this, maybe a dozen people have complained about it so far in over 10 years we've built paddles. And (unfortunately?) it happens to every brand, not just ours. The ones I remember that we have gotten apart were mostly sand in the joint. Our prevention advice is to take the paddle apart after every paddling session. This condition normally happens after a long trip or after several shorter ones where the paddle wasn't taken apart between the trips. This allows the grit, salt or whatever the glue is to build up. Take the paddle apart after every paddling session and rinse the mating surfaces off. Store the paddle with it taken apart (and remember to take both halves when you go next time!). You (and others?) mentioned they thought sea salt was the problem. We've actually had more problems with whitewater kayak paddles than sea paddles. Beach sand when surfing is the biggest culprit. A few others that were *really* stuck where the boaters had done glacial rivers and the constant immersion in the silty water glued their paddles together. Most eventually got their paddles apart, but one guy in New Mexico (who traveled) just left it stuck together and later ordered another breakdown for his traveling trips. I contacted Robert privately when this thread started and recommended he send me the paddle (he replied he would). His is an Ultralight and they won't take lots of reefing on when trying to get the sections apart. I don't want him destroying a $350 paddle. If nothing else I can saw the ferrule out and install a new one. I'm gonna try a quick soak and the heat gun to see if either will work first. I'll try and remember to report what happens. Bug me if you don't hear. I hesitate to recommend Ralph's trick with fine sandpaper on an existing paddle, but if the fit is already *real* tight, you might be able to get away with it. Hank Hays Lightning Paddles *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Mar 15 1999 - 17:46:32 PST
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