So I snapped a carbon fibre paddle shaft, just above the blade.

Borrowed a heat gun, got it hot and managed to extract the remainder of the broken shaft.

Now which type of glue is best to put it back together? Does it matter at all?

I was about to pull out the epoxy resin mix i use for epoxy surfboard repair... then thought better of it, figured i might melt shaft or blade.

Its a naish mahani if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

I use araldite 2 part epoxy adhesive (super strength 24 hr cure).
I was told if you used 5 minute it would make it easier to heat up and remove the handle, if you wanted to shorten your paddle.
The last time I had a handle attached in the store the young lad mixed up 5 minute epoxy on the shaft. My first session lasted 2 waves before the handle twisted off, quickly followed by much swearing as it was a cracker day. The adhesive had plenty of time to cure.
I dried it all out, cleaned it up, and when I'd finished gluing it back together made sure there was a good bead around the join too.
I have found too that during the curing process the two parts may want to push each other apart as well, so taping them together can help.
The paddle is still going strong, and has never leaked or looked like coming apart.

Thanks for the tips fellas. Epoxy it is. I really can't fault naish for the makani except the font they use is hard to read. The paddle fell out the back of a mates car when he was attempting silly stuff up a sand dune. He then reversed back over it.... Not sure they are designed for that :)

supthecreek said..
Just a thought... Ke Nalus are assembled with Hot Glue. Just aim a heat gun at the joint for a minute and you can disassemble for shortening.

I don't know how it will work on your paddle, but it may be worth a shot.

Just use a Hot Glue gun to apply glue to the shaft and slide the handle on... a little twist to even up the glue and let sit for a few minutes.

works great with carbon parts of the Ke Nalus

I wouldn't use hot glue in Australia.