If you don't have five paddles to hang, remove the back-left and back-right paddle slots from the sample version to create a three-paddle hanger. The bowed front will have a smaller radius accordingly. Simply position the slot for the center paddle 5/8" closer to the front so it can overlap the blades of the two rear paddles. A paddle hanger that holds six or more paddles can be made in the same fashion, but the curved display gives way to a staggered linear formation, again, with a 5/8" separation in depth front to back.

Hanger components
The backboard - which attaches to the wall - provides room for creative licence. I cut the backboard in the shape of a canoe, but carvers might want to leave it rectangular and work a suitable scene into it.

However, the true beauty of this hanger lies in its layered-paddle presentation. A gentle bow in the front of the paddle support creates the depth required to store three rows of paddles - two in the back, two in the middle and one in the front.