Avon Redcrest

[morgandlm]

I have recently acquired a Redcrest via e-Bay. The boat came complete with a pair of pine oars, 180 cm in length. These appear fine for rowing the boat but are rather long for stowing on my Sadler 26. Should I hang on to these and stow them on the coach roof or is it a good idea to buy two piece aluminium oars? Forgive the naive questions but I've never owned a tender before. Grateful for any shared experience.
Morgan

 

[MBII]

I have used both and much prefer the long wooden ones. I have a pair that I bought 30 odd years ago with my first Redcrest. I think the wooden ones are well worth the inconvenience of having to stow them on the roof and then put them below for security when you leave the boat.

James

 

[Mirelle]

I've got a Redcrest with the one piece oars and a Redstart with the jointed ones.

This may not be a fair comparison, as the Redcrest is a foot longer anyway, but I can really row the Redcrest whilst the Redstart can just about be "pried along" with the two piece oars.

I used to stow the oars on the coachroof. Not much trouble there.

(The reason for this "flotilla" of Avons is that the Redcrest is ancient, and we were going to get its valves changed when we spotted the Redstart, with all the bits, for sale for less than the cost of three new valves!

Meanwhile the Redcrest has "sentimental value" and sits in the garage!)

 

[paul_williams]

On my new boat, (Sadler 29), the oars are stowed alongside the forward berth, One a side, even though smaller, there may still be room there on the 26.

 

[Evadne]

We keep our oars in the forecabin, (which, by definition, is going to be at least 180cm long on any boat built for humans to sleep in,) along with the outboard, assorted boathooks and bits and bobs, and put them on the coachroof or after deck when we tie up for the night.