Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

I have an odd problem with my paddle and I was wondering if anyone had
any suggestions. I'm almost ready to pitch it in the garbage. A few
weeks ago, a friend of mine was using my paddle and said she didn't
like it - it irritated her hands. She said when she finally buys a
kayak and paddle, she won't buy a fiberglass one like mine. I thought
nothing of it until it started to irritate my hands yesterday. The
shaft feels prickly when I run my hand along the length, and my palm
sparkled in the sun until I rinsed my hand in the lake.


It is a Werner fiberglass paddle, and it is 3.5 years old. It cost
$240. I splurged, but felt it would last a long time, so I am not
happy. Werner refuses to replace it since it is out of warranty (1
year), but they are sending me some shrink wrap stuff to put on. The
shrink wrap might work, but I'd have to cover the whole shaft - I don't
even want to touch it to carry it. What if I accidentally rub my eyes
with fiberglass fibers on my hands?


After pushing harder with Werner, they still refused to do anything for
me other than send me shrink wrap. They blamed me for leaving my paddle
in the cockpit of my boat (exposed to sun and the elements) during our
short (Vermont) paddling seasons. They say their paddles tend to last
20 years, but they take no responsibility when a paddle lasts 1/5 that
time. So I am wondering, how many of you leave your paddle in your boat

on your car for various lengths of time, vs. bringing it inside every
time?

Werner is being foolish because if I convince even one person to not
buy a Werner paddle, they would have been better off replacing mine.

I bought it from a local shop, and now I have dilema of where to buy a
replacement. I try to buy local and support small business owners, but
on the other hand, if I buy from EMS, REI, or L. L. Bean, I know I will
never have to worry about equipment failing before it should. Any
ideas?

I am thinking that spray paint may work better than shrink wrap. Any
comments?

Cathy

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

In a previous article, said:
any suggestions. I'm almost ready to pitch it in the garbage. A few
weeks ago, a friend of mine was using my paddle and said she didn't
like it - it irritated her hands. She said when she finally buys a
kayak and paddle, she won't buy a fiberglass one like mine. I thought
nothing of it until it started to irritate my hands yesterday. The
shaft feels prickly when I run my hand along the length, and my palm
sparkled in the sun until I rinsed my hand in the lake.

Did either of you have mosquito repellant on your hands? DEET can do a
number on fibreglas.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction into a
battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day."
- Calvin discovers Usenet

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

UV exposure can degrade paddle shaft materials, so I don't blame Werner
for not covering this under warranty. The good news is that it can be
repaired.

There are several ways to address this problem. The first thing you need
to do is to lightly wet sand the shaft with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper
to remove any loose fibers. Once you've done that, you can either apply
the shink material that Werner provides or you can coat the shaft with
something. You could just use paddle or surfboard wax as was suggested
elsewhere, but since the resin matrix is already degraded, it would
probably be wise to protect it more than wax can. You can buy spray
clearcoat if you like the original color or you can paint it if you want
a new look.

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

I would give it a lick of clear coat or shellac. Once that is done some
Sex Wax as Bob noted will stop it from slipping and bothering you.
Shrink tube will work but it adds weight.

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have an odd problem with my paddle and I was wondering if anyone had
any suggestions. I'm almost ready to pitch it in the garbage. A few
weeks ago, a friend of mine was using my paddle and said she didn't
like it - it irritated her hands. She said when she finally buys a
kayak and paddle, she won't buy a fiberglass one like mine. I thought
nothing of it until it started to irritate my hands yesterday. The
shaft feels prickly when I run my hand along the length, and my palm
sparkled in the sun until I rinsed my hand in the lake.


It is a Werner fiberglass paddle, and it is 3.5 years old. It cost
$240. I splurged, but felt it would last a long time, so I am not
happy. Werner refuses to replace it since it is out of warranty (1
year), but they are sending me some shrink wrap stuff to put on. The
shrink wrap might work, but I'd have to cover the whole shaft - I don't
even want to touch it to carry it. What if I accidentally rub my eyes
with fiberglass fibers on my hands?


After pushing harder with Werner, they still refused to do anything for
me other than send me shrink wrap. They blamed me for leaving my paddle
in the cockpit of my boat (exposed to sun and the elements) during our
short (Vermont) paddling seasons. They say their paddles tend to last
20 years, but they take no responsibility when a paddle lasts 1/5 that
time. So I am wondering, how many of you leave your paddle in your boat

on your car for various lengths of time, vs. bringing it inside every
time?

Werner is being foolish because if I convince even one person to not
buy a Werner paddle, they would have been better off replacing mine.

I bought it from a local shop, and now I have dilema of where to buy a
replacement. I try to buy local and support small business owners, but
on the other hand, if I buy from EMS, REI, or L. L. Bean, I know I will
never have to worry about equipment failing before it should. Any
ideas?

I am thinking that spray paint may work better than shrink wrap. Any
comments?

Cathy


Cathy,

It sounds like you have serious sun-degradation of the fiberglass. I would
consider one of two options: 1) wet sand it, and then apply a coat of
clear coat, which would completely restore the shaft; or go with the shrink
wrap and take the additional weight. Then keep it out of the sun.

Neither your boat nor the paddle benefit from being left in the sun
unprotected. At very least cover the entire setup in the future.

What makes you think that items purchased from the retailers you mention
will do any better under the same unprotected conditions? I would expect
anything to suffer if left in the sun. REI and Bean carry many of the same
standard kayaking items (Werner paddles), and I doubt that under the
circumstances they would be any more supportive.

I have two Werner paddles, a fiberglass Camano, and a carbon fiber Kalliste,
and couldn't be happier. I've had no negative experiences, but I would
NEVER them in the sun for any period of time. If I absolutely had to leave
a boat exposed, I would at least place them inside a hatch to protect them.

I hope that you get this worked out, and that you have many pleasant
kayaking experiences yet to come.

Jim Hill

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

On 7-Oct-2005, "James Hill" wrote:

or go with the shrink
wrap and take the additional weight. Then keep it out of the sun.

Cathy,

If you tend to move your hands around on the shaft a lot, the shrink wrap
will be of limited value. I hate getting glass fiber in my skin - if I
were you, I'd go with the varnish/clearcoat/paint after sanding to bury
the fibers permanently.

As James says - keep it out of the sun. If you want to leave it in the sun,
then try a UV resistant varnish and be prepared to redo it every few years.

Mike

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

OK, maybe I am being too harsh, since everyone things I'm nuts for
leaving my paddle in the cockpit of my kayak on the car. One thing
though - it seems like the resin coating is degraded evenly along the
entire shaft. If it was caused by sun, you'd think the center would be
worse because the blade end is deep inside the cockpit where one's feet
would be (i.e. more protected). Also, my backrest is homemade and I
fold it down over the paddle, covering about a foot's length of the
shaft. So that would protect it further.

Althoug it would be better for the kayak to be protected and not left
on the car, we do not have a garage (we live in a townhouse). In the
winter, they are stored in a friend's basement. I could take the kayas
off the car and put them in the grass alongside a patio, maybe covered
with a tarp, but I go kayaking about twice a week during the summer,
often alone, and it's a pain to take the kayak off the car and put it
back on 2 days later. Also I a sometimes spontaneous and decide to
leave work a litte early and go kayaking. If the kayak wasn't on my
car, I couldn't do that. I use the 505 UV protectant on the boats -
somehow never thought of putting it on the paddle. Up here (Vermont) it
seems lots of people leave their kayaks on their cars for extended
times.

One person asked if we used DEET. We don't.

Several people mentioned wet-sanding. Is that just what it sounds like
- making the paddle wet and then sanding it?

One person asked why I thought a product purchased at REI, EMS, or L.L.
Bean would stand up better. It wouldn't. But they have satisfaction
guarantees.

Jim Hill said "If I absolutely had to leave a boat exposed, I would at
least place them inside a hatch to protect them." I have doubts the
paddle would fit in the hatch, but I will see.

My second paddle (for 2nd boat) is a cheap, heavy paddle. I thought the
shaft was plastic, and I've never seen any degradation from the sun
even though it is twice as old as the Werner. But maybe it is aluminum
shaft...

Thanks for the advice. Sorry I was so hard on Werner. I did like the
paddle very much...

Cathy

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

If you sand it make sure to do it very lightly so you don't wear the shaft
down and minimize its strength. As for keeping your paddle and boat on your
vehicle, you can buy kayak and paddle bags. That will help protect both.

Courtney

wrote in message
ups.com...
OK, maybe I am being too harsh, since everyone things I'm nuts for
leaving my paddle in the cockpit of my kayak on the car. One thing
though - it seems like the resin coating is degraded evenly along the
entire shaft. If it was caused by sun, you'd think the center would be
worse because the blade end is deep inside the cockpit where one's feet
would be (i.e. more protected). Also, my backrest is homemade and I
fold it down over the paddle, covering about a foot's length of the
shaft. So that would protect it further.

Althoug it would be better for the kayak to be protected and not left
on the car, we do not have a garage (we live in a townhouse). In the
winter, they are stored in a friend's basement. I could take the kayas
off the car and put them in the grass alongside a patio, maybe covered
with a tarp, but I go kayaking about twice a week during the summer,
often alone, and it's a pain to take the kayak off the car and put it
back on 2 days later. Also I a sometimes spontaneous and decide to
leave work a litte early and go kayaking. If the kayak wasn't on my
car, I couldn't do that. I use the 505 UV protectant on the boats -
somehow never thought of putting it on the paddle. Up here (Vermont) it
seems lots of people leave their kayaks on their cars for extended
times.

One person asked if we used DEET. We don't.

Several people mentioned wet-sanding. Is that just what it sounds like
- making the paddle wet and then sanding it?

One person asked why I thought a product purchased at REI, EMS, or L.L.
Bean would stand up better. It wouldn't. But they have satisfaction
guarantees.

Jim Hill said "If I absolutely had to leave a boat exposed, I would at
least place them inside a hatch to protect them." I have doubts the
paddle would fit in the hatch, but I will see.

My second paddle (for 2nd boat) is a cheap, heavy paddle. I thought the
shaft was plastic, and I've never seen any degradation from the sun
even though it is twice as old as the Werner. But maybe it is aluminum
shaft...

Thanks for the advice. Sorry I was so hard on Werner. I did like the
paddle very much...

Cathy

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

" As for keeping your paddle and boat on your
vehicle, you can buy kayak and paddle bags. That will help protect
both."

You can have a functional and inexpensive (under $5) paddle bag by
purchasing a Remington Gun Sock at the sportings good section of
WalMart.

Plent long enough for take-apart kayak paddles, drawsting closure,
silicon-coated fabric. And it'll help a liitle to prevent dings and
scratches during transport.

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

I had warranty problems with Werners. Broke 2 of their WW paddles, one was
my clearly fault, rock wedge, the other was a delam problem and they would
NOT stand behind it. Love the paddles, but they don't hold up very well (
for me ).
wrote in message
oups.com...
I have an odd problem with my paddle and I was wondering if anyone had
any suggestions. I'm almost ready to pitch it in the garbage. A few
weeks ago, a friend of mine was using my paddle and said she didn't
like it - it irritated her hands. She said when she finally buys a
kayak and paddle, she won't buy a fiberglass one like mine. I thought
nothing of it until it started to irritate my hands yesterday. The
shaft feels prickly when I run my hand along the length, and my palm
sparkled in the sun until I rinsed my hand in the lake.


It is a Werner fiberglass paddle, and it is 3.5 years old. It cost
$240. I splurged, but felt it would last a long time, so I am not
happy. Werner refuses to replace it since it is out of warranty (1
year), but they are sending me some shrink wrap stuff to put on. The
shrink wrap might work, but I'd have to cover the whole shaft - I don't
even want to touch it to carry it. What if I accidentally rub my eyes
with fiberglass fibers on my hands?


After pushing harder with Werner, they still refused to do anything for
me other than send me shrink wrap. They blamed me for leaving my paddle
in the cockpit of my boat (exposed to sun and the elements) during our
short (Vermont) paddling seasons. They say their paddles tend to last
20 years, but they take no responsibility when a paddle lasts 1/5 that
time. So I am wondering, how many of you leave your paddle in your boat

on your car for various lengths of time, vs. bringing it inside every
time?

Werner is being foolish because if I convince even one person to not
buy a Werner paddle, they would have been better off replacing mine.

I bought it from a local shop, and now I have dilema of where to buy a
replacement. I try to buy local and support small business owners, but
on the other hand, if I buy from EMS, REI, or L. L. Bean, I know I will
never have to worry about equipment failing before it should. Any
ideas?

I am thinking that spray paint may work better than shrink wrap. Any
comments?

Cathy

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

On 7-Oct-2005, wrote:

Althoug it would be better for the kayak to be protected and not left
on the car, we do not have a garage (we live in a townhouse). In the
winter, they are stored in a friend's basement.

Buy or make a cover for the kayak. You can leave it on the kayak
and paddle while it is on the car. That would keep the sun off it.

Several people mentioned wet-sanding. Is that just what it sounds like
- making the paddle wet and then sanding it?

Yes - you should keep wetting the paddle while you sand it. That will
keep down the dust, help prevent the sandpaper from clogging and
provide a smoother finish than dry sanding. You'll have to buy
sandpaper made for wet sanding.

Mike

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

wrote
SNIP
REI and Bean carry many of the same standard kayaking items (Werner
paddles), and I doubt that under the circumstances they would be any more
supportive.

In my experience a primary reason to purchase from a reputable retailer is
that they will provide their customers with FAR more support than the
manufacturer can.

If my 9-year-old's composite paddle develops this kind of problem (and I
don't feel like putting a light epoxy coating on the shaft), we will simply
bring it back to Bean's for a refund, and replacement. It has always been
my experience that they take seriously their founder's policy: "I do not
consider a sale complete until goods are worn out and customer still
satisfied." I have many times returned items that wore out "prematurely"
after 5 years or more.

Similar experience at Costco today - My wife's Ipod froze up, still under
warranty. Rather than deal with the warranty policy, I went back to the
store (with no receipt). After the refund was processed, a guy from
electronics showed me how to "reset" it, to get it going. I was
embarrassed, and offered to undo the refund, but they said no, it was now
selling for $40 less, I might as well get a new one.



Sal's Dad

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

After reading all of this I am not sure it is sun degradation. It may
be some chemical thing going down.
I am almost surprised Werner does not want to see this thing.

Werner doesn't stand behind its paddles
 

I used to work for Werner and I'm pretty certain it's not a chemical thing.
I believe it's UV damage and vibration from wear and tear being in the boat
on the car all the time. However I too am a little surprised that Werner
didn't ask to have the paddle sent in. The warranty person I'm sure has
their reasons.

Courtney

wrote in message
oups.com...
After reading all of this I am not sure it is sun degradation. It may
be some chemical thing going down.
I am almost surprised Werner does not want to see this thing.

Werners are good to me, but Bending Branches......
 

I have 2 werner paddles and they have been flawless. I beat the living
crap out of them on the river and they have stood the test of time to me
at least.
I did have a bent shaft wooden bending branches paddle that broke while
I was paddling. It was in teh water adn I was bracing, no rocks, nothing
to hard (not like my use of the werners) and Bending Branches didn't do
me as good as I thought they should have. I sent the broke paddle to
them and they said it was from abuse, for once in my life it wasn't, I
was making a brace move, and the best they did was replace the paddle
for cost. I took it since it was the best I could do. Oh it was a canoe
paddle not a kayak paddle. Still, I willnever buy another Bending
Branches paddle but will buy another Werner any day.
My $0.02

Thanks

Werners are good to me, but Bending Branches......
 

Brian wrote:
I have 2 werner paddles and they have been flawless. I beat the living
crap out of them on the river and they have stood the test of time to me
at least.
I did have a bent shaft wooden bending branches paddle that broke while
I was paddling. It was in teh water adn I was bracing, no rocks, nothing
to hard (not like my use of the werners) and Bending Branches didn't do
me as good as I thought they should have. I sent the broke paddle to
them and they said it was from abuse, for once in my life it wasn't, I
was making a brace move, and the best they did was replace the paddle
for cost. I took it since it was the best I could do. Oh it was a canoe
paddle not a kayak paddle. Still, I willnever buy another Bending
Branches paddle but will buy another Werner any day.
My $0.02

Perhaps their products have improved in recent years, but around here,
they used to be referred to as "Breaking Branches", as their wood
paddles tended to snap like twigs.

Werners are good to me, but Bending Branches......
 

Brian Nystrom wrote:

Perhaps their products have improved in recent years, but around here,
they used to be referred to as "Breaking Branches", as their wood
paddles tended to snap like twigs.

It (Bending Branches) does seem like and odd name for a paddle.
Maybe they should make a line of canoes called Leaking Logs.

The only Bending Branches paddle I've seen was used by a guy who
claimed "California has no class 5 rapids." So my buddy Boris
invited him on our annual Deer Creek trip. After one mile, a wrap,
and many swims, it looked like he was about to have a heart attack,
so we urged him to camp at a nice spot and walk out (upstream)
the next day. After the trip, he told us "Those weren't real rapids,
there were too many rocks in there."

On the plus side, his Bending Branches paddle did not break.

Werners are good to me, but Bending Branches......
 

After the trip, he told us "Those weren't real rapids,
there were too many rocks in there." LMAO!!! That's a classic

"Bill Tuthill" wrote in message ...
Brian Nystrom wrote:

Perhaps their products have improved in recent years, but around here,
they used to be referred to as "Breaking Branches", as their wood
paddles tended to snap like twigs.

It (Bending Branches) does seem like and odd name for a paddle.
Maybe they should make a line of canoes called Leaking Logs.

The only Bending Branches paddle I've seen was used by a guy who
claimed "California has no class 5 rapids." So my buddy Boris
invited him on our annual Deer Creek trip. After one mile, a wrap,
and many swims, it looked like he was about to have a heart attack,
so we urged him to camp at a nice spot and walk out (upstream)
the next day. After the trip, he told us "Those weren't real rapids,
there were too many rocks in there."

On the plus side, his Bending Branches paddle did not break.