Do I need oars or sculls

[freedom44]

I am building a 11'6" rowing and sailing nesting dinghy as a tender. I want to be able to row it well and scull when distances are not great. Do i just buy a set of oars and if so, from where, or can I build a pair. Will one set do both jobs. What length of oar would readers recommend. Many thanks

 

[donncha]

The simplest way to make a set of oars if to get a plank, cut out a rough template, make the shaft into a hexagon shape and the round it, use a saw and then progress to a plane to make the blade, sand down the shaft with an inverted belt sander belt and a drill.

Alternatively, buy 2 shovel handles and cut the blades out of ply. They wont look as good but they require less man hours.

Found this with google:
Shaw & Tenney Oar Length Formula for Correctly Fitted Oars

* Inboard length of the loom equals ½ the span between the oarlocks + 2"
* Total length of oar equals 1/7 of inboard length multiplied by 25
* Leverage Ratio is 7:18
* Distance from the center of leather to end of grip equals 7/25 of the total length of the oar

I personally would go for about somewhere between 5 and 6 ft.

 

[Seanick]

I would have two pairs, a long pair of sculls for calm days and flat water, (top gear) and another pair of shorter stronger oars for choppy water and windy days (third/forth gear).
The long ones could be at least 7'. The length required is also determined by the freeboard of the vessel.
There is a rather good rowing site, that may come up with some ideas. Its pure coincidence that he has just pictured my boat again!!
For sculling, oneof the flat oars will be fine.
By the time you have built the boat, you will be more than able to make your oars. The ones which are easily available to buy are normally far too short for real rowing anyway.

http://rowingforpleasure.blogspot.com/

 

[donncha]

Have a look at this in depth article into the question. The writer designs small plywood boats and I have built a number of his designs.

http://koti.kapsi.fi/hvartial/oarlength/oarlen.htm

 

[Seagreen]

"just sticking my oar in here", all I'll add to is, if you only want one pair of oars, then get the longer ones for your boat, and learn to row in choppy water.

I use 7' plastimo ones (I was in a rush) but they are fine for general use, in a 10'6" dinghy.

Single oar sculling, though. It may be an idea to make your own oars, but pay a bit of attention to the blades. Chamfer one side to have more of a camber than the other, like a wing. This won't affect the rowing, but if you use the more cambered side of the oar facing forward, you'll have a more efficient ad powerful sculling blade. You only need do this with one oar, but if you do it with both, they'll be balanced and it won't matter which one you use.

 

[freedom44]

It is so refreshing to realise that out there are some great "enthusiasts" aka "nutters". The site regarding the oar design is sublime in its completeness. Many thanks for the input.