Make a Drip Ring for a Greenland Paddle
From a bicycle inner tube
Dry hands are nice, especially in the winter.
The soft inner tube drip ring does not interfere with bracing and rolling.
The rubber stays soft in all temperatures.
It is not damaged by sliding under deck lines.
The points on the ends guide the drips away and keep your hands dry!
Start with a piece of bicycle inner tube. End with a tidy, effective drip ring
Inner tubes come flat.
Slice open 4-5 inches along one edge.
Flip over the tube and cut a short curved piece out of the fold you didn't cut.
This will be the center hole of the drip ring.
The length of the cut-out piece should be about half the width of your blade.
Cut out an oval around the center hole. Here I am using the first one as a template for the second one so they come out the same size.
Prop the paddle against a wall. Use two hands, one gripping each point of the drip ring. Stretch it like a rubber-band and pull it down over the blade. (If you don't stretch it, the rubber will tear when you pull it over the blade).
Slide the drip ring to within about six inches of where you hold the blade.
Flip it back the other way so it will stop the drips as they run along the blade.
Make a couple of extras to stash in your pocket or dry bag. Then you'll be prepared if one breaks or to give to an admirer who wishes their hands were dry.
Nice, will give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThe Inuits tied a leather thong around the blade and let the end hang down to guide the water away. These work even better!
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