Gifted a kayak...now what...

Super stoked!  Served a family and he traded said services for a barely used native manta ray 12.  My son is 13 1/2 and I’m calling it his.  Kinda right of passage timing.  I want to make it quite the badass fishing platform but simple.  First off, anyone have a rudder kit for a 2008 paddle native?  Long shot I know...
     Check out this bonus...as I’m leaving I ask, hey, “You don’t have a paddle to go with it do ya?”  “You don’t have one?”  “I do but not an extra for this kayak.”  He pulls out a bending branches 240 carbon fiber slice as I hold my breath...here, he says, it’s a nice paddle.  I’m jumping inside and on my way.
     Paddle dilemma...I go to snap it together and the latch button does not reach the designated attachment holes.  It seems as if the hole side half needs to be trimmed about 3/4”.  Is it possible that BB had a factory error, well of course I guess.  Question...how would one of you technical guys cut off that shaft? Oscillating saw?  Send it in?   Is it easy?  Already YouTubed it and have some ideas but want to flood with opinions please...

Nice trade and Very exciting to hear about your boys rite of passage!

I know more about tools than kayaks...but would a hacksaw do the job?

Nice trade and Very exciting to hear about your boys rite of passage!

I know more about tools than kayaks...but would a hacksaw do the job?

That was my first go to until I studied the difference about how carbon fiber is made into a shaft.  Unlike aluminum, the fibers go length wise and I fear a strangely fuzzy end but maybe sanding after would cleanup nice?

I would think the process would be similar to trimming carbon fiber handle bars for bicycle. Check youtube.

I would think the process would be similar to trimming carbon fiber handle bars for bicycle. Check youtube.

Ooooo, I like that, thanks...

coping saw and electrical or masking tape maybe

I'd definitely get ahold of someone at the factory before I did anything. They might be able to explain something that's not obvious to the user.

Sounds like somethings wrong, you make it sound like the paddle is unuseable at the moment. Or I missed something.

Maybe the male end got hit and has slipped deeper into the shaft than it's supposed to be.

 Also, the depth of the female end might be plugged and cutting off the outer end might be pointless.

Sounds like a high end paddle, trimming would be my last resort.

Drill a new hole

or chop saw with a finishing blade

Pics sending to BB

Looks to me like the male end has slipped deeper into the shaft,
 
Be good to see what BB has to offer as a remedy,

Potential learning experience for us all.

Far, far flung possibility, could the guy have possibly had 2 almost identical paddles and you got the male of one and the female of the other?  Ask me how I know, 3 hr drive and my paddle pieces won't match up........

chop saw... will take me 10 seconds to cut.

chop saw... will take me 10 seconds to cut.

Boom, gonna trust ya', still gonna inquire with BB and see what they say...

Far, far flung possibility, could the guy have possibly had 2 almost identical paddles and you got the male of one and the female of the other?  Ask me how I know, 3 hr drive and my paddle pieces won't match up........

+1
I had a similar thing happened once.

Agree with dale on getting pressed in, maybe after sitting in excessive heat.  I’d slow heat it over a heat gun to soften the epoxy and slide it back out.