Length of oars?

[Kelpie]

I've acquired a pair of old oars that I'm going to cut down for use on my Avon Redcrest. The oars are currently about 8' long which is obviously too long.
How do I work out what length to use?

 

[Chrusty1]

Usual formula is 1.5 times the beam, but can vary a bit.

 

[lw395]

The longest you can live with is good!
More speed less effort.
Most standard ones on rubber dinghies are only good for very short distances or as a backup for the engine.
I would be tempted to try the longest that can reasonably be stowed in the dinghy on the pontoon.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Longer is better provided you set up the inboard ends as close as practical to each other, this will give you maximum leverage, the length outboard will determine the length of the stroke; longer is harder work but fewer strokes, shorter is less pull but a lot more strokes for the same distance.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[Kelpie]

Is that 1.5 beam or 1.5x distance between rowlocks? Not a big difference obviously but I'm a bit nervous about sawing into these oars... can't saw a bit back on after all...

 

[Tranona]

The important thing is to set the collars if you have them so that inboard ends do not quite meet.

Some argue that long oars are not good on rubber ducks and the most effective means of rowing is in short quick strokes with short oars - think the originals will be 6 ft.

Suggest you try them uncut and see how you get on.

 

[VicS]

The oars for my 2.4m Avon Typhoon are 1.43m. I think they'd be Ok for a Redstart but a Redcrest is a little (0.15m) beamier.
The oars for my 8 ft plywood dinghy are 1.65m . I think they would just about be long enough for a Redcrest.
I go along with the suggestion that shortish oars are better for the rowing style needed for an inflatable.

 

[Kelpie]

Well I took a measurement and 1.5x beam works out at about 180cm... I probably don't want them any longer than that for storage reasons anyway, so it's out with the saw...

Update: the deed is done! I made a shallow cut around the circumference, then used an Opinel to shave away some wood to create a taper at what will now be the handle end. After sanding this, I completed the saw cut. They look pretty good considering I had to persuade the guy who gave me them not to break them up for firewood.

 

[doug748]

I think you will find your 6ft oars a great improvement on the Avon. Mine are c6ft 9in and are probably a shade too long.
I got fed up with lugging the ourboard about on the pushpit and then rarely using it; not having it to worry about is a great bonus. Tho if you wanted to go a long way with 3 on board it would be a different matter.

 

[[3889]]

I bought a pair of 163cm oars for my Redcrest and find the length spot on.

 

[Amulet]

Now, for my 57th creative way of cocking things up on a boat.
I bought a pair of Plastimo wooden oars to replace the knackered ones for my ancient Redstart. Exactly the same lengtht as the originals. The finish was a bit amateurish, so I sanded them down and gave them a proper dose of varnish.

Come the sailing season, leapt on the boat in the marina and off to a nice peaceful anchorage. Excellent opportunity for a walk ashore. Pump up the dinghy, wife leaps in, pass her the oars climb in myself and cast off into a strongish tide. Ship the oars..... aha... their diameter is too great for the rubber rowlocks. Oh bowlocks! Some canoe style paddling ensued.

Later had to plane off all my noce varnish and thin the oars to fit.

Now, I'd never suggest anyone else could be that stupid, but I thought, as owner of new oars for an Avon, you might find it entertaining.

 

[neil_s]

I carved a pair of wood blocks that fitted neatly against the rubber oar locks of my Redstart. They are held on by two long M6 bolts a-piece, with wingnuts, in case I should want to take them off. These now carry a pair of standard galvanised rowlocks so I can use ordinary oars. The oars are a little higher than before, so you don't bang your knees - and you can use fat oars!

Neil