Oar Length???

[pearl]

I'm going to upgrade my oars on the drift boat. It's a 16' Clackacraft Guides Model with a 54" bottom. What are you preferences and why for oar length?? 9ft , 9ft6in, or 10ft ?

Thanks for the help.

Pearl

[Rustyoar]

I would like to add to this question if I may, who likes wood vs fiberglass advantages or dis-advantages of both? And where should oars properly be when rowing, ie ******s, under or over, arm pits ect. I hope this is ok to add on.

[Water Ready]

My choice would be 9'6" on the oars as long as they,ve been balanced. Rustyoar- Depends on mfg of the Oars. Wood is a little heavier, but have made their mark because that's where we started. :grin: Composites are fairly low maint. If you leave your wood oars in your boat, they probably will show signs of age quickly. Composites won't. As far as where to hold,Do whats comfortable and natural, for you, so your not sore the next day.

[Flatfish]

Pearl,

9'6" or 10'. Depends on how wide and high the boat is.

Wood or Cataracts both have fans for good reason.

Both have to be protected from UV. Not just wood.

Either will get you where you need to be. I would say a set of balanced Cataracts.

Rusty, grip placement is a function of how long is the oar in relation to the oarsman. I like em about 10" apart. Narrower in tight water. Whatever is comfortable.

Mark and the dog.

[RichH]

I prefer a 9' oar because it is more comfortable for me to row and I feel I get better bite that way. I also tend to like drifting smaller rivers and when plugging tend to hug the brush and it just all around works better for me.

[freespool]

I run 8.5ft on a 16 Willie built Alumaweid. You may think this is to short,but for maneuvering around things that will sink your boat,they are the bomb. Longer oars mean longer strokes,quick short strokes are much more efficient. The other advantage to shorter oars is when you miss a stroke,when dodging rocks is less of a consequence. Types of oars are a personal preferance,I've bent 3 aluminums so I don't like them. There is no correct position of the oars,it's what is comfortable for you.My comfort zone is handles about even with my arm pits.


salmon hugger

[Rustyoar]

Anyone know of any 9'6" Cataracts balanced for sale??

[freespool]

Rustyoar,Treegolfer has a pair of 9 footers in the classifides here on ifish. You might want to take them out for a test drive and see what you think.


salmon hugger

[Rustyoar]

Ya I PM him again, thanks, I have the cash togeather now if he still has them. I would like to try them first before I buy.

[Rustyoar]

Peral check your PM
Thanks

[Gun Rod Bow]

Does anyone else shave their handles? It was common practice with my buddies in the "old days".

What I mean is shave them flat on two sides and add grooves like some would do to a framing hammer. The flat edges of the handles are on the same side as the blade edges.

I really notice it when I grab someone elses oars. The flattened handles fit your grip better, make "feathering" the oars easier, and when you grab the sticks you always know when your blades are without having to look. I see all these spongy grips and stuff, the bigger diameter the handle, the more stress on your hands.

Since oars were the subject, just thought I'd ask.

[freespool]

GRB,I think this type of modifacation was rendered less effective with the invention of the foam grips. Not only do they afford a good grip,they also eliminate blisters. Oh and an added bonus,they keep your hands warmer.


salmon hugger

[NWRedside]

I have a new set of 10' cataracts, been used only 4 or 5 times. I personally would prefer a set of 9'6 oars. If anyone knows of anyone who would like to do a swap, let me know. I definantly prefer the cataracts to wood though....

[Best Fishes]

I have a set of 9' 6" CATARACTS & a 16' x 54" Willie. I have felt that these were sometimes (not often)too long. I took my old ankle weights, wrapped them around my oars (velcro) and now I have counter balanced oars! Much better than before.
Best Fishes

[Old Coot]

I love wood. My first oars were spruce and they had life in them. flexing with each stroke. I made the mistake of putting those blue "blade protector" tip covers on them so I wouldn't splinter the edges in skinny water. The rubber protectors held moisture which wicked up the blade from the tips, and over one season the bottom 10 inches of the blades quietly rotted. Came spring and I was plugging for springers with a young nephew, hooked a fish in fast water, spun the boat hard to set the hook, and POW! Short oar.

I replaced them with big-bladed aluminum oars, which give lots of power, but it's like rowing with clubs. IMHO laminated woods aren't much better; no life, no spring to them either.

[Water Ready]

Ankle weights? Drill it and put lead in it. Not a bad idea though. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[cully]

sawyer smokers. enough said.

[pearl]

Were digressing here a little boys and girls.

I need [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] determining LENGTH of oar to purchase. What are the pros and cons of the different lengths available . I have a fairly wide 54" bottom boat and I go about 6' 4" and sit a little high in the saddle. I want to make sure I buy right the first time ( current oars need replacing).

Thanks to you that did respond about your preference of oar lengths . There is some good info attached and I'll use it when I make my purchase.

Thanks again everyone !

[Old Coot]

Pearl, if you want an answer to the question you actually asked, you'll have to be more specific! :grin:
I'll bet if you hung around a take-out with your boat in the water people would be willing to let you test their oars to see what fits best.
One length tip - I have a hi-sided Koffler with a welded-in seat that is fairly high. I have to use short oars to avoid removing my kneecaps on my return stroke. Oh that hurts! [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

[Water Ready]

Smoker/Sawyer Ash oars rock!! However, Sawyer builds some excellent conposites also! Enough said, again............ :smile: :smile:

[DanS]

9'6" Cataracts

[pearl]

Old Coot,

You hit the nail on the head.

What started my journey for new oars is the fact that I had a mounted rowers seat and with 10' oars and I was taking my knee caps off on the stroke. I thought it was in my form [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] . I since have taken the seat out and reroped the rowers seat. I now sit lower and that helped cure the problem. I'm not a physics major but, if I'm thinking this through correctly a shorter oar say a 9' or 9'6" would force me to raise my hands to put the oar at a greater angle on the stroke while getting maximum blade in the water. The 10' sits at a lower angle when the blade is in the water thus lowering my hands and hitting my knees.

Am I on the right track here?

Pearl ( Just a jet boat guy trying to learn to drift )

[cosmo]

For me, there's nothing better than 9'4" Sawyer Lights. Had the composites, hated them. Found a sucker in Gent Bent and made the swap back to the lights. Only he doesn't know he's been suckered--likes those composites. Go Figure. Personal preference.

[BUGLEMAN]

If you fish big rivers like the Wilson and Clack alot and have a wider boat go with the 10'ers. Otherwise you are on your own.

[Grantspastor]

Normally on a 16" boat 9' oars would work best. As is obvious from the variety of repsonses, it is an individual preferance. I like wood oars...

[Get Bent]

COSMO WAS JUST A LITTLE WEAK TO HANDLE REAL OARS HAY MAY YOU CAN PAINT YOUR DRIFT BOAT PINK PUT SOME LACE ON IT AND ROW AROUND WITH THAT GIRLYMAN TOP OF YOURS [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] :tongue: