2-piece paddle stuck together

[J.A. Veil]

I have used a two-piece Aqua Bound paddle with a fiberglass shaft since 2008. I always separate the two halves after each trip for easier transport and storage. On my first day of vacation, I noticed that the two pieces resisted going together as smoothly as they usually do. I wiped off both ends, and they went together. However, at the end of that day's trip, I was unable to separate the halves. When I returned home yesterday, I rinsed the paddle well and shot some WD-40 into the seam and the push-button fitting. I let it sit overnight. The paddle is still very tight. I am unable to make the joint budge at all.

Since my transport vehicle is a minivan, it is not absolutely critical that I get the pieces separated. I do not want to take such drastic measures that I damage the connection of the paddle.

I am looking for suggestions on how to get the two halves separated again.

[LoudounFisher]

Since WD-40 doesn't work, the next thing I would try is heating it. Since it's fiberglass rather than aluminum you should using boiling water. Hopefully the outer tube will expand enough before the inner one expands too.

[J.A. Veil]

I found some discussion of this on another website. The guy suggested heating the female end using a hair dryer (not a heat gun). Then try to pull the pieces apart. I tried that several times. After the second time, I was able to push the silver locking button off to the side and sprayed silicone lubricant inside the tubes. Then I heated it again. The tubes are not budging. I am not ready to give up yet, but may find myself with a one-piece paddle.

[Mark]

John

Have you tried the method of squatting with the paddle on the back of your legs midway between your buttocks and your knees? Hold the paddle with your hands against the outsides of your legs. As you squat your legs will spread and push outward against your hands. You are effectively using your strong leg muscles with this method. I have freed many things this way. It works great when two piece rods are stuck together.

Another thought is getting an assistant and having a game of tug of war.

Good luck,

[Southerly]

i suggest twisting it to get it loose. how to do that w/o destroying it is a good question,...

2 pc WS masts have a very tight tolerance fit. if they're left in water near shore, the joint seems to filter minute sand from the water = stuck tight. we would attach a clamp-on boom to either side of the joint for leverage and twist.

[ronaultmtd]

I use bowstring wax on all my ferrels- rods and paddles- works great- no worries

[mweber02]

I use bowstring wax on all my ferrels- rods and paddles- works great- no worries

Interesting. I always thought of bowstring wax as tacky and binding.

[ronaultmtd]

Just simple beeswax

[FishAholic929]

My original paddle for my original kayak (which I still have) did the same thing after a week of being at the beach. Sand, salt corrosion or a combination of the 3 locked mine in place. Since I managed to get the button depressed and the pieces to slide apart just enough to hold the button down but not come apart I just wrapped the center of my paddle in electrical tape to make it look better and have a one piece paddle.

[Redfish12]

I was going to say boiling water on the outside and tap it with something hard while rotating the joint in your hand to see if that helps loosen it. Grabbing on either side of the backs of your knees and using your legs to help you apply pressure usually works too!

[Yak Fish]

You could always try twisting them apart with a pair of pipe wrenches, of course making sure the paddle is protected with a rag or something. They should give you the leverage you need.

[kevinfry]

You could always try twisting them apart with a pair of pipe wrenches, of course making sure the paddle is protected with a rag or something. They should give you the leverage you need.

strap wrench would be safer54628828-540x539-0-0_Klein+Klein+S12H+12+Strap+Wrench.jpg.....boiling water would not hurt and would likely help. I bet the problem is grit, though, so appropriate but safe force is likely the solution.

[J.A. Veil]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. After the hot air treatment did not work, I wrote to customer service at Aqua Bound paddles. I had a useful reply from Sonya Swanson, Sales & Marketing Specialist for Branches, LLC (parent company of Aqua Bound). She wrote:

"We are sorry to hear that your paddle is stuck together. This has been known to happen with some of our older paddles built with the injection-molded (plastic) ferrule. This ferrule design was re-engineered in the Spring of 2009 and paddles are now built with a composite tube ferrule, which is not prone to swelling.

Instead of heat, we have found more success when recommending ice. Try wrapping the ferrule connection with ice packs and/or running ice cold water over. Then, see if you can get the paddle to come apart. If this proves successful, we then recommend sanding or shaving down the swollen ferrule insert to achieve a looser fit. If you would like to send your paddle in to the factory, we will gladly do a warranty ferrule replacement for you.

If you cannot separate the two halves, we then ask for you to carefully saw the paddle in half at the center connection. Send it in for a warranty repair, and we will ship back to you in like-new condition. If you choose this route, please use this address:

Branches, LLC
ATTN: RA#675
812 Prospect Court
Osceola, WI 54020

Again, we are sorry to hear you are having trouble with our product. Please keep in touch and let us know if we can help further."

I tried soaking the joint in ice bags for an hour and still could not budge the paddle halves. I believe a pulling force is needed rather than a twisting force. But I am afraid that any additional steps I try will end up damaging the paddle. I thought about the hassle of shipping a 10-ft long paddle to Wisconsin. I decided to keep the paddle as is, in its one-piece mode. Since my transport vehicle is a minivan, I have space to haul it inside.

After five years of usage on that paddle, I feel like I have gotten my money's worth from it. I am beginning to research other paddles -- possibly the same paddle (Aqua Bound Manta Ray -- how fitting for my kayak) but with a hybrid or carbon shaft to lower the weight. A lighter paddle might help my shoulder joints on days when I paddle for 3-4 hours straight while trolling.

[Hemingway]

I would not recommend twisting, the Werner two peice paddles have groved slots that the two pieces mate together that are about an inch long. You have to pull them apart that far before you could ever twist the paddle without destroying it. I don't about AquaBound, but the idea of working with the factory seems the way to go.

[Hemingway]

[ a hybrid or carbon shaft to lower the weight. A lighter paddle might help my shoulder joints on days when I paddle for 3-4 hours straight while trolling.[/QUOTE]

John, I have a Werner bent shaft that I love. I have paddled up to 8plus hours with no issues. The bent shaft takes a lot if stress off the wrists and elbows, and it is super light. You are welcome to try it next week.
Gary