Doin’ , thats the key

“Doin’  ” , “Get’erdun”, and the inevitable, “hey y’all, watch this ” (which usually ends up both tragic and hilarious, but I digress).  These things make up “redneck” according to elites. 
But I gotta say, I’d rather people like that around me when things get froggie, than those with the single solution of throwing more money at a problem. 

Oh, wait, that sounds like Government.

So, I guess what I am saying is I’d rather be around crazy rednecks than Governed.   Yeah, that sounds about right.  Hell, at least the rednecks don’t rob ya blind and tell you its for ‘the greater good’ (whatever that is).  And rednecks can do something NO government, ever, has been capable of; making things.  And usually from next to nothing to start with.  

Well, here’s what this redneck came up with this week.



Another type of paddle.    All the wood is laminated up and all of it was ‘scrap’, destined for the kindling bin.  20 individual pieces, cut to size, glued and clamped, and now I am reducing it to the paddle I intended.  I spent far more on gorilla glue than I would like but this thing is gonna take a lot to break. The main shaft is 6 pieces lammed 4 through the center with 2 along the edges of those.    The blades are cedar siding lammed thick ends together with shorter pieces to build up the center for more of a wing shape in cross section.

I saw a version of this over at Kilii’s site and thought it looked cool.  Then I saw another version of it as made by the late Derek Hutchinson.   As I said, versions of, not the exact same.  This is what I came up with using what I had and without employing some wild building materials like fiberglass.  This one is closer to Kilii’s version, but my guide was a vague snapshot,  not detailed plans. 

And its giving me something to do with my front feet while the weather isn’t cooperating with my water desires.  And that keeps me from hammering down coffin nails in boredom.  Yeah still trying to quit and with minimal success so far.  Cut back?yes. Quit? Not as yet.   Spring and summer will help there as I won’t be as cooped up.

Now, about the paddle, I am not sure it will improve on things or not.  Making it, I can see it doing some things better, but not all things.  A Greenland Paddle is a series of compromises, but is VERY flexible in usage.  Detailing any one usage detracts from others.      I can see this blade performing power strokes and sculling very well, but ruddering and some other sweeps will be reduced. 
I may prefer over the Greenlands.
And I may hate it first run. 
And its gonna be awhile before weather allows me to go play to find out. (And it is playing, I freely admit that! )

But, as I said, its giving me something to keep my front feet occupied and is another learning curve, which is never bad.  Later, the “hey y’all, watch this!” may happen, and if so, I’ll pick myself up, shake off, and keep on keepin’ on.

Thats what us rednecks do.