Drift Boat Oars

David Johnson · 01-30-2002, 08:22 AM

I'm looking to get some new drift boat oars and wanted to get some opinions.

I have a set of wood Soyers, they are pretty heavy but I like the fact that they float.

dawhunt · 01-30-2002, 08:25 AM

I'm also curious how do decide what length of oar you need for your boat,does it depend on the length of your boat or what ??? :whazzup:
Bob

Troutinator · 01-30-2002, 08:26 AM

I've had both Aluminium and wood. As you know the trade off is weight vs. NOISE. I'll take the added weight and the floating feature of wood. Plus wood just "feels" better to me. AND, when I actually weighed the oars, my Sawyer woodies only weighed 20% more.

Me, I'll stick with the sticks! :grin:

Pete · 01-30-2002, 08:47 AM

David,
The real key to oars is to get two of them! Next most important is that they are both the same size. It's also important to have just one on each side of the boat. Finally, make sure both oars are in the water!

Seriously, I've been pulling my wood Sawyers for 15 years and the worst problem I ever had was that the neoprene hand grip ripped. For the price, they are hard to beat. Yesterday I used my oars on the Highway 6 summit to dig a Jeep Cherokee and a Range Rover out of a snow drift ... that was fun!

I asked about oars on this board a month or so ago and didn't come up with enough justification to drop the $300 or so on Cataracts. On sale, I paid about $80 for my Sawyers at G.I.Joe's. Watch for the % off coupon on Memorial day!

moman · 01-30-2002, 09:14 AM

Dave, I cast a vote for the Alumaweld aluminum oars. What do you know, I happen to have a three for sale on the Board at a good price. Actually, i'm selling them becasue I really like my Sawyers. They are a little heavier but the feel and the float make it worth it. Now if you want aluminum oars....

hustlerrjim · 01-30-2002, 09:33 AM

I have used 1 1/2 inch gull oars for years,you dont need all that strength in your oars these are light weight and last for years and they are inexpensive {not cheap]
on most rivers I can come down the river only using two fingers to row.

01-30-2002, 10:35 AM

David have an extra set of wood in the garage if you need them in the interim.

Chris Nordling · 01-30-2002, 03:49 PM

David,

Try some Cataracts if you can. They are great sticks, and the stock blades float. You can also change blades with Carlisle brand. It's very easy to customize your oar if you'd like. I personally am happy with the stock set up off the shelf. I would like to try and counterbalance them, although they are really not that heavy.

Thanks to my friend Nookie Monster fo heping me choose after loaning me his. Here is a link he provided to me

NRS CATALOG
( Hopefully that worked. If not try WWW.NRSCATALOG.Com )

I hope you find a set you like.

Chris

HT Buzzo · 01-30-2002, 05:33 PM

I like my cataracts. They came with my used drift boat with a $129 price sticker still on them. I think they're a little more now.

After three years of reefing and bumping rocks I've not had to replace a blade. I even slip them off once in a while to see if they will come off if I need to.

HT

GBSkunk · 01-30-2002, 05:38 PM

I too like the Cataracts. I ordered the ones with 2 lbs. of lead in each handle. They balance very well. 8' oars with the magnum blade.

www.cascadeoutfitters.com

DollarBill · 01-30-2002, 07:21 PM

If you're looking a wood oars , you might want to look at Smokers . They're made of ash. I have a pair that are over 20 years old , and except for varnish and rewrapping , they have stood up very well. I also have a pair of Sawyer wood oars which I like very much, and they seem to be a little lighter. I've used Carlisle and Cataract but I prefer wood. The way they flex and the fact that they float make wood my choice.

$Bill

Flatfish · 01-30-2002, 08:40 PM

Dave,
I really like my Cataracts.Even after 2 sets of Sawyers that were on another drifter and the ones that came with my present rig. I definately prefer them when pulling plugs.Take most of the effort out of it.Try before you buy cause,as the responses here show,it's definately a personal thing.
Good Luck.
Mark

Nookie Monster · 01-30-2002, 08:41 PM

David,
Oars are like boats, plug rods, girl friends, line, etc... it comes down to personal preference. I think that most of the manufacturers put out a good product. Sawyer, Smoker and Gull have been around for awhile, a lot of people swear by the feel of the wood oars. If the oars are balanced properly, the difference in weight between one manufacturer and another is negligible. I like the Cataracts, they have the flex of wood and are tough (a requirement for me for white water rafting). You have offers to try a couple of different brands. I would take someone up on their offer and find the set that is most comfortable for you... and then take me fishing.

David Johnson · 01-30-2002, 09:14 PM

Hey guys, what is your oar experience with shallow water, like when you have to dig into the gravel because there isn't enough water. I've heard that the ones with rubber coated tips tend to bounce back when you try and dig them in.

Any comments? Thanks.

[ 01-31-2002: Message edited by: David Johnson ]</p>

JPSFISHY · 01-30-2002, 11:14 PM

David, I have both as well. I found that after a few years of use, the foam in the alum shaft oars goes bad, and soaks up water making them sink. So I don't use them anymore. I also have a spare set of 9ft. woods that your welcome too if you need them. There not Salyer's, there the lighter set, but new. Gull's??? Need tips. Call any time. JP

Gizmo Man · 01-30-2002, 11:24 PM

Dave: If you want to try several pairs give me a call. I have a set of 10'cataracs (sp), Carlile's that we can make 9 10 0r 11' long with the spacers I have, the light oars that Jim references (these are the ones I use for the reason he gives) and some saywers. Got them all so you can try them to see what you like before you buy....

Let me know...we need to go fish again...

Giz...

Bait O' Eggs · 01-31-2002, 06:31 AM

David
Cant help you on the Rubber ones, but I bought a set of 9 ft Carlyle oars and put the wide outfitter blades on them. They are like 8 or 8.5 inches wide. I wish I would have gotten the 6 inch +/- wide blades. These can really get a hold of the current, nearly picking you out of the seat if you try to hold them back in the right sitution.

The blades dont float and the oars tend to be deeper in the water than I like when I first grab them. I wish I had the one like I have seen on the catarafts that float.

You are more than welcome to borrow mine if you want to try them.

I got them at Andy & Bax who had the best price I could find short of a special coupon or discount. A & B also had some used Cataraft oars for sale last time I was in there that were in perfect shape at a discounted price. You might look into that.

King Kong · 01-31-2002, 02:01 PM

I love my cataracts! After 20 years rowing Sawyers I made the switch. It took some time to get used to the feel after using wood for so many years but I think that it was a good decision. I have found that they are a little lighter and are very strong! I have abused them in low water without any problems at all. Two thumbs up to cataract for making an exceptional product!

willierower · 01-31-2002, 03:32 PM

My boat came with with 9' Sawyer lights. Those oars were fine. I bought a pair of 10' Cataracts, Those oars were better. Then I tried a pair of 9'6" Cataracts, Now those are what are use.
The Cataracts have great flex and are not as heavey as some people say they are. Plus the oars and blades are un-breakable, buy them once and never buy them again.

The Magnum blades are made of a hard resin over and aluminum webbing. The blades tend glance of rocks mare than protested wood or uncovered wood blades. Bt that has never been an issue.

M W Sheller · 01-31-2002, 04:28 PM

Ask ten diferent people what oars (restaurant, movie, car) is best, and you'll get ten different answers. It' a matter of personal prefference.
The one thing that should not be a point of argument, is the number of oars you carry! One would think two, but noooo! Oars sometimes break,or pop out of an oar lock under extreme sercumstances. Now how do you get home with one oar?? Three oars is the absolute minimum I carry.