Oars for Spindrift 12

[cdunc]

I might have missed this in the plans but what is the recommended length for oars on a Spindrift 12.  I found some formulas online for calculating the length but one formula calculated 8.5 feet and the other 7.5 feet so I would rather get a recommendation from an actual user.

Thanks,

Craig Duncan

[Hirilonde]

The answer isn't that easy.  Longer oars will allow you to row faster and/or with less effort.  Shorter oars store more easily when sailing.  In my case, shorter oars store more easily on my Renegade while towing.  You're in the right range, time to think about how often you will actually be rowing vs. sailing.  Are you going to consider break apart oars?  I have 6' oars that don't  break apart.  I wish they were longer when I am rowing.  I wish they were shorter when sailing or towing.  Eventually I will have break apart oars in the 6.5' to 7' range.  But then my Spindrift is a 9.  Is it surprising that this decision is a compromise too?   

[kmrmike]

I have 7' oars for my Spindrift 11, and like Hirlonde, they are full length and tend to get in the way.But I intend to make them stowable some day when I get sick of triping over them...Mike

[Greg Luckett]

I recommend giving Graham a call and bet he already has it figured out.

[Garry]

I had 7-1/2' oars for my Spindrif 11N which worked well but were a bear for storage and especially got in the way when sailing. I had a scheme for building fiberglass tubes on the shafts to get a tight fit with some kind of release layer to keep them from sticking. Then sliding the tubes out of the way, cutting the shafts, and gluing the tubes in place to make coupling sleeves.

[cdunc]

Since I am not building the nesting version I was hoping to have less of a problem with stowing the oars.  I was planning to mount some brackets on the side of the bench so they can be secured and not under foot.  Since the bench has a curve to it they will stick out from the sides somewhat but if they are stored towards the bow then I think they will stick out where the bench crosses behind the centerboard trunk.  Once I get closer to the point where I need them I will mock up some oars to see how it will all fit.

I will send Graham an email once the EC is over and see what length he recommends.

Craig

[Hirilonde]

But I intend to make them stowable some day when I get sick of triping over them..

Its amazing how sick of tripping one must become to ending up doing something about it 

[Maria CS20 104]

Just a Rube Goldberg ? idea.  What if you rigged them outboard like rub boards or rub rails with lashings like bungie cords or snap-ons.  That way they are not under foot, readily available, and you could attach with poly rope so when released from lashings they could not fall off and drift away.  I am actually thing about something like this on the CS-20 which will make the seating area wider when sitting on the side rail when heeled over.  Just a goofy idea I have NOT checked out but am seriously considering.

Jim