drift boat oars

CHROME CATCHER · 12-07-2004, 09:12 AM

I recently got a drift boat. The oars that came with it are older wooden oars, and after half a day on the water, feel extremely heavy. What kind of oars work best? I know there are composite's out that are very light, but seem kinda expensive. How long should the oars be for a 16' boat anyway? Thank's for the input!! :whazzup:

Rustyoar · 12-07-2004, 10:48 AM

Do a search on this and you will find a ton of info, opinions and formulas.

Two Fister · 12-07-2004, 11:10 AM

Make sure your oars are balanced properly. Your hands should be in a comfortable rowing position, but the oars should be able to pass by your body when against the stops. If they can't pass by your body you will get a nasty smack to the ribs if you hook an oar on a rock or even some river hydraulics. I have 9' wood Sawyer oars on my 16'x54" and I think they are just right. Composites may be even heavier than wooden oars depending on the make.

Check your balance and I'll be they'll seem a whole lot lighter.
TF

CHROME CATCHER · 12-07-2004, 01:36 PM

I have a 16x54 also, i don't know the length of my oars, but they seem alot longer than 9'. I'll have to check it out. Thanks Two fister.

pearl · 12-07-2004, 01:43 PM

I purcahsed new oars a couple of weeks ago. I have a 16 X 54 drift boat. Did a lot of research here on the site and asked lots of questions. After all of this I brought some 9 ft Cataracts. Got them home and sat in the boat with the oars placed in the locks. I promptly returned them and went with the 9'6" Cats and I sure glad I did ! I'm 6'4" and sit a little higher in the seat then most and the extra 6 inches meant alot. I just spent 4 days on the Nestucca last week and the oars worked flawlessly. Now the guy on the oars is a different story :grin:.

Drachir · 12-07-2004, 02:05 PM

I have been rowing DB's for over 30 years. I would go with a good pair of 9 1/2' Sawyers, they are great!! :grin:

Sent you a PM, where I saw a pair cheap!!

CHROME CATCHER · 12-07-2004, 02:15 PM

I'm 6'3" so the 9'6" oars might be the way to go. Thanks for the suggestions. Now,all i got to do is get past the wife, and figure out how to buy new oar's without her thinking she need's a new dress

Snakebite · 12-07-2004, 04:12 PM

Quote:

I have been rowing DB's for over 30 years. I would go with a good pair of 9 1/2' Sawyers, they are great!! :grin:

Sent you a PM, where I saw a pair cheap!!

Ditto that! Only 20 years for me though. Sawyer ash oars, heavy but the mass and inertia is an advantage! Just balance them well! I also would heavily coat the blade ends with a good epoxy. Way better than those silly plastic covers. JMO!

BroCam · 10-26-2006, 07:17 AM

Do you still have the wooden oars? I am looking for some old oars for project. Message me.

nikkidog · 11-03-2006, 04:43 PM

[quote=Drachir;665643]I have been rowing DB's for over 30 years. I would go with a good pair of 9 1/2' Sawyers, they are great!! :grin:

I've been rowing my DB with Sawyers for 20 years. I wouldn't have anything else. Hope I never break any one of this pair. Nikkidog