What size oars?

[salmonslug]

I picked up a SuperPuma raft at the end of last fall and need to replace the oars. It's setup w/ an NRS fishing frame. With the cooler I'm using and my current oar-stand configuration I'm not real satisfied, but I'm hopeful I will find the sweet spot. So far I've been unable to situate it so that the end of my stroke doesn't come back into my knees. I've tried both std and tall oar stands. I've only taken it out a half-dozen times so far. I've been fortunate to have a friend willing to teach me in his raft over the last couple of years (at least that's what I try to tell myself when he's up front drifting through the money slot with me behind the oars). He has the same raft w/ a different frame and cooler, which is much more comfortable. I'm curious if anybody has suggestions to help me dial it in quickly. The oars that came w/ the boat are falling apart. I believe they're 8ft, and I'm wondering if switching to 8'6 inchers might improve my configuration options. I do like the 8 footers when I'm running a narrow slot, but I'd really like to get away from pulling back into my knees. Suggestions?

[Slow and Low]

I picked up a SuperPuma raft at the end of last fall and need to replace the oars. It's setup w/ an NRS fishing frame. With the cooler I'm using and my current oar-stand configuration I'm not real satisfied, but I'm hopeful I will find the sweet spot. So far I've been unable to situate it so that the end of my stroke doesn't come back into my knees. I've tried both std and tall oar stands. I've only taken it out a half-dozen times so far. I've been fortunate to have a friend willing to teach me in his raft over the last couple of years (at least that's what I try to tell myself when he's up front drifting through the money slot with me behind the oars). He has the same raft w/ a different frame and cooler, which is much more comfortable. I'm curious if anybody has suggestions to help me dial it in quickly. The oars that came w/ the boat are falling apart. I believe they're 8ft, and I'm wondering if switching to 8'6 inchers might improve my configuration options. I do like the 8 footers when I'm running a narrow slot, but I'd really like to get away from pulling back into my knees. Suggestions?

The oar length will not solve your problem. The NRS frame should allow for adjustment of the oar locks. You either need the oar locks moved forward or the seat moved back. If that doesn't work taller oar locks (may require longer oars). Longer oars will make the problem worse since the angle is decreased making the handles lower to the knees.

[salmonslug]

Thanks for the reply Slow&Low. I'll mess around with the setup some more.