Spindrift Oar Length

[Don Silsbe]

I’m thinking that 6’ is the correct oar length for a Spindrift 11 or 12.  What do y’all think?  (The photo is my Two Paw 8 with six footers.)

[Aphers]

The usual rule of thumb is 1.5x times the beam of the boat, so that there is twice as much oard outside the boat as there is inside.

So for a S12 that would be about 6'9"

(and checking the dimensions I've just noticed for the first time that the S12 is actually narrower than the S11! What's that about?)

[Don Silsbe]

Thanks, Aphers.  And I made a mistake.  Those are a pair of 7’s on my TP8.

[Alan Stewart]

13 hours ago, Aphers said:

The usual rule of thumb is 1.5x times the beam of the boat, so that there is twice as much oard outside the boat as there is inside.

So for a S12 that would be about 6'9"

(and checking the dimensions I've just noticed for the first time that the S12 is actually narrower than the S11! What's that about?)

 

I just checked this. They are actually the same beam the S12 is basically a stretched S11. But in actual fact I am pretty sure (Graham correct me) the S12 came first. I corrected the beam dimensions. S12 is 4' 7" plus or minus a few plane strokes. 

 

[Chick Ludwig]

Oar length can be a confusing topic. Also has to do with height above water, height of gunnel above seat, type of boat, style of rowing even. Heck, just use a motor!

[Don Silsbe]

2 hours ago, Chick Ludwig said:

Oar length can be a confusing topic. Also has to do with height above water, height of gunnel above seat, type of boat, style of rowing even. Heck, just use a motor!

One factor here is that I love rowing, and Chick hates it.
 

The question I should have posed y’all is:

 

When you’re out sailing your Spindrift, what do you take along for auxiliary power?  Oars? Paddle? 5hp outboard? (Chick’s choice.  LOL)

[Hirilonde]

I use a paddle for getting away from the dock and such.  I use oars for auxilliary. All 3 store in the boat, handy, but out of the way.  Oh, and this is for a 15' 8" Lapwing. I am only 67, so I will be waiting to get an electric some time in the future.

 

I used a complicated formula for deciding on oar length. I find my oars are too long.  Had I used 1.5 or 1.6 times beam I think the length would have been just right.

 

I wonder what the formula would be for the 3rd deck oars of a trireme?