Favorite Driftboat Oars?

[blackdog]

The last step in my driftboat renovation is looking at new oars. I have an old set of Sawyer Hybrid Counterbalanced oars that I have really liked. However, the blades are shot and the shaft has an ever growing crack running up one of them. I talked with the people at Sawyer and they can try to fix them. Does anyone have any other favorites or recommendations? The new Sawyer MX oars look pretty nice, especially in the graphite wrapped models. Any help would be appreciated.

[SAUKit2em]

I've had a few different kinds of Sawyers and they were great oars but I now use Cataract Oars and I find them to be the best thing out there. I use the magnum blades on them and they take a beating like nothing else. I've floated Puget Sound rivers, Olympic Peninsula rivers, you name it. The Cataracts are light and very strong.

[willierower]

firedog,
Right now I use Catracts, I really like them. The magnum blades are great. I taled with Advanced Composites before I bought my oars and they said they have never heard of thier shafts breaking. The oars have the right amount of flex, Not too stiff or too limber.
I also like the Sawyer Lights. The blades are long and I like that. They also flex just right. I feel that they are not a good choice if you plan on doing a lot of white water running.
The new Sawyer MGX seem too stiff for me. If I was you I would look into some Cataracts. If your boat has a 54" bottom I recomend 9'6" oars.

[Rauly]

Been rowing for 35 years. Sawyer Lights are my favorites.

Rauly

[Kim Katsion]

Rauly, You really have been rowing since you were five? I didn't think such young lads learned to row just yet? I am impressed. images/icons/wink.gif images/icons/wink.gif Hell, I didn't learn to row until I was 38, no joke. I like the regular Sawyer 9 1/2 foot all wood oars, I use to row the 9' but the 9 1/2 feel much better. Kim

[hustlerrjim]

Iv'e been rowing for over 60 years and have used every type of oar in existance .and have settled on lite wt. gull 9.5 ft.1.5 in. diam.laminated oars, you dont need a super strong oar if you know what you are doing.
I had a fellow repair my blades that were wore down to stubs, he cut the bad part out and glued in new peices ,he then fiber glassed the blades to their original shape ----that was 5 years ago and these oars are still going ;
Another thing I find usless is wrapping your oars.I never have and maybe some body can tell me why they do.

[Thumper]

By the way, it is easy to counterbalance your oars. Just wrap 2-3 pounds of solid-core lead around each oar closest to the handle, then tape over the lead with electrical or duct tape. Voila! Counterbalanced oars!

[Tanner]

Cataract Oars are my oar of choice. I have a 54" wide Willie and I just replaced my 9' oars with 10's what an incredible difference. They are light and extremely strong. Until someone comes out with something better, I will row Cataracts.

By the way, Counter Balanced Oars are for Sissies. images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/grin.gif