Mark, I once owned a Waterstick white water paddle. Used in for surfing, playboating, and running the steep creeks I love so much. I, like you, am on the big side of average. I broke 3 paddles in one year. After the 3rd replacement (which I also broke, making a total of 4) the company rep, who was very nice, said something along the lines of "Well, after 3 paddles, we start thinking it's the paddler, not the paddle" That said, I replaced the paddle with a pair of Werner Paddles, and they have held up well after 3 full seasons of paddling. Including at least two crashes on rivers where I was shocked to roll up with a complete paddle. I think, in our heart of hearts, that we know the difference between abuse and use. If my Werner paddles had failed in either of the two hits I'm thinking of, I wouldn't have complained, and would have chalked it up to the cost of doing business. But the Waterstick paddles, 3/4 failed in what I would consider normal use. That said, several of your videos do seem to show you swimming frequently. Aside from direct rock contact, there isn't going to be much harder on a boat than a boat full of water, tossed in the surf. That's a lot of stress. I'd call them. Ask them. Be honest. Ask if they can build you something with triple taped seams. Also, I dropped a surf boat off with http://www.boardlady.com/ in Ventura last weekend. I haven't got it back, but she showed me some of her other work, and it was seriously impressive. Her website focuses mostly on boards, but her yard was filled with kayaks, waveskis, boards, and rowing skulls. I'll post pictures of the repair when I get it back next weekend. But you could talk to her about a repair and reinforcement. One thing, keep the boat dry until it's fixed. Chewing gum won't adequately seal it. Geoff ____________________________________ Geoff Jennings (530) 852-4754 - geoff_at_texaskilonewton.com http://www.kimandgeoff.com/ > You folks have seen my videos; do you think I'm abusing my boat beyond > what's reasonable? Am I unreasonable to ask them to live up to their > warrantee AGAIN? Should I cram the split with chewing gum and go on my > merry > way? > > I need the collective conscience of Paddlewise!!! > > Mark Sanders *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Oct 25 2007 - 13:35:26 PDT
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