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V ger · 05-11-2016, 02:19 AM

I applaud you for introducing your kids to boating by teaching them to row. Few things will give them a better understanding of the interaction of wind, wave and boat than rowing. It provides outstanding low impact exercise and teaches perseverance. With a little coaching the realities of what must seem like abstract school lessons can be illuminated.

Pinned oars are an anathema to experienced rowers and will prevent neophytes from ever learning to row properly. Pinned oars cannot be feathered making rowing upwind needlessly laborious. They also cannot be shipped when coming alongside a dock or another boat.

Controlling the extended length of the oar through the oarlock can be largely achieved by the application of oar leathers where the oar makes contact with the oar lock. The leathers also prevent wear to the shaft of the oar. While oars are not available with leathers installed (They are positioned according to the boats beam etc.) they are easily stiched onto the oar. This basic element of marline spike seamanship should be familiar to any competent boater.

Open top oar locks are inherently weaker and prone to loss as they are not retained on the oar. The blade like tops of open topped oar locks can produce nasty injuries if someone falls on them as is likely with beginners boarding and leaving a small boat.

While charts are available with suggested oar length to beam ratios I find that the longest oar that can be managed by the rower will provide the fastest the boat speed and will require fewer strokes to cover a given distance. Having to take short choppy strokes is frustrating and can be dangerous. More than a few people have been lost due to an inability to make headway against a strong wind or current. Buy good quality oars and as suggested above paint the blades white or some other bright color to increase visibility. If your oars do not come with padded grips do not varnish the grip area as this will cause blisters. A bare wood or sanded grip is better and less slippery.

Consider adding an oarlock socket to the transom that can be used to scull in case of oar loss or to travel through narrow spaces. It can be very satisfying
to learn a skill that not many people have.

05-11-2016, 02:19 AM	#11
V ger Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Oars I applaud you for introducing your kids to boating by teaching them to row. Few things will give them a better understanding of the interaction of wind, wave and boat than rowing. It provides outstanding low impact exercise and teaches perseverance. With a little coaching the realities of what must seem like abstract school lessons can be illuminated. Pinned oars are an anathema to experienced rowers and will prevent neophytes from ever learning to row properly. Pinned oars cannot be feathered making rowing upwind needlessly laborious. They also cannot be shipped when coming alongside a dock or another boat. Controlling the extended length of the oar through the oarlock can be largely achieved by the application of oar leathers where the oar makes contact with the oar lock. The leathers also prevent wear to the shaft of the oar. While oars are not available with leathers installed (They are positioned according to the boats beam etc.) they are easily stiched onto the oar. This basic element of marline spike seamanship should be familiar to any competent boater. Open top oar locks are inherently weaker and prone to loss as they are not retained on the oar. The blade like tops of open topped oar locks can produce nasty injuries if someone falls on them as is likely with beginners boarding and leaving a small boat. While charts are available with suggested oar length to beam ratios I find that the longest oar that can be managed by the rower will provide the fastest the boat speed and will require fewer strokes to cover a given distance. Having to take short choppy strokes is frustrating and can be dangerous. More than a few people have been lost due to an inability to make headway against a strong wind or current. Buy good quality oars and as suggested above paint the blades white or some other bright color to increase visibility. If your oars do not come with padded grips do not varnish the grip area as this will cause blisters. A bare wood or sanded grip is better and less slippery. Consider adding an oarlock socket to the transom that can be used to scull in case of oar loss or to travel through narrow spaces. It can be very satisfying to learn a skill that not many people have.

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