No need to unglue it to get the water out.. If it can get in it can get out.. Once you've worked out where it got in.. and got it all out.. just smear some epoxy glue in that area and cross your fingers and hope that that's it..

If you put your paddle in the sun for a few minutes with it tipped or angled so the leaking point is down the water will just bubble out as the air expands in the heat.

Thanks re tips. Not sure where leak is. I'll try the sun trick and see if I can find any bubbles.

You're funny YT ?? At least its not hanging in the shed

I use the "flute method":

For water in the shaft, I just drilled 2 small holes ( ~ 3mm) on each side ~ 20cm under the handle
and moving the shaft to make the water run in it, blow in one hole like a flute to make the water come out from the other. Works quite well without drilling big holes.

SUPunit said...

But is the consensus that it is better to drill holes in the paddle shaft rather than pulling the handle off and just draining it out?

I get that the problem is probably going to keep reocurring as I can't find the leak, but don't want to compromise the integrity of the shaft by drilling it.

Hi SUPUNIT,
The two places your paddle will most likely take in water are where the blade & handle are attached, unless you have a crack which you'd probably be able to notice.
I'd suggest taking it back to where you bought it or your local SUP shop. They'll probably use a heat gun to loosen & pull the handle off, drain the water & let it dry, reattach the handle & seal up both places where the handle & blade are attached with a glue gun.
You can do this yourself of course.

I personally wouldn't recommend drilling holes in the shaft or handle, as you said you risk compromising the integrity of the shaft & can create cracks or splits (I'm assuming your paddles carbon) and also risk voiding the warranty.

Hope this helps, good luck with it!
Laz

SUPunit said.. But is the consensus that it is better to drill holes in the paddle shaft rather than pulling the handle off and just draining it out?

Yes, small (3-4mm) holes doesnt compromise your shaft strength, especially if done near the handle.
When water is drained, just refill with some glue or solarez. It is easy to re-drill in the same holes if water get back in.

DavidJohn said..
Before drilling holes you need to know if plugs were used and where they are..

Good point. If you hear water moving in the shaft, you should be able to find where it travels freely by the ear.

Great ideas! You have a few options. Now you can scratch a bigger hole in your head Lol!!!!!

Do you want to shorten your paddle? Then now is a great excuse to do it.

If not, find where it is leaking first. As said, Put paddle in sun. Check any bubbles, water leaks at the joints. Usually it is the handle. Glue does perish after a while. I have just poured boiling water over the joint area & the handle just twists off.

If handle wont come off & it is leaking at the joint. Just drain as best as you can. Drill holes if you have to but a little water wont hurt & as long as the paddle floats easily then good. Then sand & clean around the joint. Apply tape around the shaft on both sides of the joint leaving about 3mm gap on both sides of the joint. Then apply epoxy over the joint as you turn the shaft continuously so it doesnt drip! Then before it hardens, peel the tape off & continue turning the shaft until epoxy hardens. This should leave the joint neatly covered with 6mm width of epoxy to ensure a waterproof seal.

Hows that for a short answer. Lol!!!!!