Hi - need to replace the oars that came with my newly purchased Widgeon (one has dried and splintered) and they seem quite short. Ill be using them to get away from the boat ramps on busy days and I also would like to do a little rowing with this boat and I am wondering if 9" would be about the right size or not. I have found Sawyer oars that take apart that I am interested in just don't want to buy the wrong size.
Oars for widgeon
- Thread starter jespo463
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I have an O'Day 222 and I've always wondered about whether I could use a long sculling oar that could be mounted either in an oar lock on the Starboard combing or on the stern. I got this idea years ago after reading reading a book called "The Self Sufficient Sailor" by Lin and Larry Pardey. They sailed their 24' cutter Seraffyn all over the world without an engine. In chapter 13 under "Oar Power" they have plans that show how to construct one.
I have my kayak paddle on board my boat which covers me under the law. I've tried using it to propel my boat and it can be done with the aid of my rudder under certain wind and current conditions but it's not something I would want to rely on if I had to. In fact, if worse came to worse I'd tow my boat with my kayak.
As far a oars are concerned, most sailboat cockpits aren't designed for oars unless you can mount a special seat that would allow you to row the boat like a skiff or row boat. This is why I mention the sculling oar. The correct length of the oar is relative to the boat's free board.
This book is probably in your town library and it's worth checking out. Maybe you could mock up a cheap paddle out of a long wood plank and try paddling with it by hold it at various lengths. Then you would have a pretty good idea of what can work for you on your boat.
Personally I think you could get away with just one paddle by using your rudder to steer the boat in the same fashion that Lin and Larry did.
Joe
I have my kayak paddle on board my boat which covers me under the law. I've tried using it to propel my boat and it can be done with the aid of my rudder under certain wind and current conditions but it's not something I would want to rely on if I had to. In fact, if worse came to worse I'd tow my boat with my kayak.
As far a oars are concerned, most sailboat cockpits aren't designed for oars unless you can mount a special seat that would allow you to row the boat like a skiff or row boat. This is why I mention the sculling oar. The correct length of the oar is relative to the boat's free board.
This book is probably in your town library and it's worth checking out. Maybe you could mock up a cheap paddle out of a long wood plank and try paddling with it by hold it at various lengths. Then you would have a pretty good idea of what can work for you on your boat.
Personally I think you could get away with just one paddle by using your rudder to steer the boat in the same fashion that Lin and Larry did.
Joe
9' could be about right for a 5' beam boat, but storage becomes the issue. I think that's what I was considering for my 14' long 5' beam GP14.
I was planning to buy a set of Fancy oars. I think they would be nice for extended rowing sessions. http://www.fancyoars-paddles.com/ They discuss oar length on the site. Haven't bought them because I need to restore the GP14 first
Maybe sit up in the boat with an eight foot 2x3, and get a feel how you'd store it.
Over on trailersailers.com, in the Montgomery forum, a guy just posted his project to make some sweep oars, if you want to make them yourself.
Brian
I was planning to buy a set of Fancy oars. I think they would be nice for extended rowing sessions. http://www.fancyoars-paddles.com/ They discuss oar length on the site. Haven't bought them because I need to restore the GP14 first
Maybe sit up in the boat with an eight foot 2x3, and get a feel how you'd store it.
Over on trailersailers.com, in the Montgomery forum, a guy just posted his project to make some sweep oars, if you want to make them yourself.
Brian
I thought about the storage issue and the 2 piece Sawyer Polecat would solve that problem - current oars are 6 ft one piece wooden and just lay in the bottom of the boat - I could make a fleece oar bag for the pieces so they would be out of the way when sailing. If rowing only,I did realize there is no seat and I have asked my husband to build me a wooden seat that simply rides right over top of the centerboard and rests on the benches. It would need some padding where it rests on the benches but that shouldn't be a problem...it wouldn't slide of course but should be great fun/exercise on those non windy days. I suppose I might also need some foot blocks to push against but I think I could also have those constructed and padded. And all of those items would be completely removable and only used when rowing. Just not so sure it is all that easy to remove the mast and all the lines for rowing. Here in the south we really only have wind now thru Mid May and then again in Oct - Nov so I can sail and row at different times do not a lot of quick change ups.
Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the info!
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