My interest in travel by water was initiated by reading Thor Hyderdhal’s Kon Tiki at the age of 12.  I’ve continued to read about Polynesia, that interest taking me by paddle routes of the Polynesians to Canada’s Pacific Coast which the Polynesians visited.  Polynesian paddles were drawn by artists on the James Cook voyages, and similar historical depictions of several aboriginal tribes, as being pointed.  I think the reasons are:  hydraulic engineering, defence against creatures and use as war weapons.  I’m not at way with anyone, but I designed my paddle for the other two benefits.  The blade is 3/16″ plywood waterproofed with four coats of Thompson’s Water Seal, painted with three coats of Tremlclad.  I built the paddle from scrap lumber, and used a 1 x 3 (I think it was) for the shaft.  I rounded the corners of the shaft, and it is comfortable to use, and stronger than my $50 conventional shaft.

I’m having trouble inserting the photo.  Drat.