I like to feather my oars both in the water and through the air. Oar rights dont let ya do that. But I hear ya about knowing where your blade is.
That said I think I have devised a scheme to make an index on my Cataract grips ... 3" heat shrink tubing with something (not sure what yet) underneath, maybe something like a popsicle stick. I just ordered the tubes the other day. I'll let yall know how they come out.
I've heard of putting a pencil under the grip so you know, by feel, which way is up. Never tried it.
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Agree that it's a personal thing -- you prefer oar rights or you don't, and trying it both ways is a great way to decide.
I've seen folks cut down the standard oar rights, eliminating a portion of the tongue -- cut back to the "G" in "Grant's" or thereabouts. The idea seems to be that's enough to use the rights when you wish, or pull the oar out far enough to not engage the oar right.
Me: I learned 20+ years ago to row without them, and prefer donuts (but also agree that the whole feathering thing is mostly in a rower's psyche -- the boat catches far more wind, and I've missed my fair share of "need it now" power strokes. Anyway...). My wife prefers the oar rights. Thinking I'll give the convertibles a shot to see if we can have the best of both worlds.
Newbie fisherman rafter, started 3 years ago...My buddy and I started with oar rights on our 14 foot raft, took them off after a few days on the water, never even thought about putting them back on.
So far I am seeing a lot a personal preference expressed here and while I give credence to the training wheels argument I presently run rights. I learned to row without but appreciate the help in keeping my blades vertical in big water and while surfing. You will break more blades with rights, just because there is less give in the system. Rights really suck if you don't get them on quite tight enough and the shaft spins in there. I also think rights will save you one flip in your career, that violent flip where the upstream oar gets sucked under the boat while you are getting side surfed.
I started out without and really didn't think anything about it... but when I bought my new boat I got new oars with rights to try them out. I have to say, I think the whole feathering thing is in your head. I remember looking at people with rights on and thinking it was for amateurs, thinking my feathering was so beneficial. Now that I've used rights for 3 years I can honestly say I'm not embarrassed to use them. They keep it simple and you are always in your power position. If you do slip an oar in big water the correct position is easily regained. Do what you are comfortable with. In big water or big wind, rights are helpful. My wife also likes them when she gets behind the oars.
I HATE oar rights, Even in 'ass thumping water' like the Lochsa, Cataract, etc.... I found that when running heavy water you often are trying to catch eddys (or avoid in the GC), or move around in squirrelly water. Often with oar rights I found have my oar gets yanked from my hand because it catches a different current and gets sucked away. when I have no oar rights I can usually feather or flick the wrist and get my oar back. With no oar in your hand you have become a passenger!!
I will disagree with Pearen's statement that rights would save you one flip due to an upstream oar beings sucked under the boat, I feel with out oar rights you can generally avoid that. I loose grip of my oars much, much less when I dont have rights on.
I also think that oar rights can really hurt yourself, or you passenger. You could rip out your shoulder or have the oar whack your passengers.
Conversely, I know a lot of really good boaters that like Oar rights, and Pin and Clips. You will also see people on NF Payette with pins a clips, this a serious river with all kinds of scary things. I think it comes down to personal preference. People used to take scows and wooden boats down many of the rivers we take our $5000 oar rigs!
Have fun!
Scott
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Sport Climbing is Neither
--The Verm
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Last edited by dgosn; 06-30-2009 at 10:16 AM..
Reason: 3rd grade grammar
When I started rafting, I went bare, didn't like it when I'd lose track of my oar orientation in a rapid and grab what felt like air when what I needed was a big ol' handfull of water. I suppose that would have improved with time. I got Oar Rights as a remedy, and liked them a lot. When I got a second boat, I equipped it with Thole Pins and clips, just to try them. I like them slightly better than locks and Oar Rights. Pins (with stirrups) are definitely better when you pop an oar. Don't feel quite as nice when your oar is in the proper place, though.
You ought to be getting the sense that there's no absolute right setup.
As far as the advantages of feathering while rowing flatwater and long trips being in my head, GTFOH. Having earned my way most of my adult life through physical work outdoors, I'm pretty aware of the difference between stress and ease.
One aspect that's key to rowing open locks is knowing where your blades are, which takes a strong and yet sensitive grip. One of the first things I did after taking the O-Rights off my Carlisles was to peel off the foam grips and rough up the plastic ones, so I could feel any movement.
The wood oars I now like (Gull from NZ) come varnished with bare wood grips, and I love 'em. (If you want generic foam grips, shoot me a PM— I'll mail you a set, no charge.)
Hybrid Mode
