Adding oar locks

[bfeller]

I am considering the addition of some oar locks on my Spindrift 10. Anybody have information on where to position them? As in how far forward from the stern, or do I figure out how far my arms reach? I've no clue where to position them.

[John Burritt]

I'd put them about 10 inches behind the back edge of the seat you'll be sitting on.

[PeterP]

John is very likely right but to make sure - here's what I would do. Shoot down to Lowe's and pick out a pair of real nice eight ft 2x3 spruce. Straight grain no knots. Rig up a couple of temporary thole pins ( about 6 in pieces of broom stick) that you can clamp to the side of the boat and move back and forth as needed. Throw the boat in the water and play with it. Figure out what works. The 2x3 will row almost as well as a regular oar and when you are done you can dry them out build up the ends for the blade you want and make you a nice pair of oars. PeterP

[Travis Votaw]

LOL - Good luck finding a 2x3x8' spruce that is straight and clear...It doesn't exist as far as we are concerned in Oklahoma. Otherwise , you have a good idea. I believe I used 14" behind the rowing thwart on the dinghy I built last year.

[Hirilonde]

My Spindrift 9N plans show the rowlocks to be centered 9" aft of the aft edge of the center (rowing) seat. Unless Graham forgot to put this detail in the other plans you will find this detail located on the page labeled "Interior Construction Plan"

[ecgossett]

What are good oarlocks for the CS17 that will not break, but you don't have to leave up?

Oh and won't break the bank.

Thanks

[bfeller]

My Spindrift 9N plans show the rowlocks to be centered 9" aft of the aft edge of the center (rowing) seat.  Unless Graham forgot to put this detail in the other plans you will find this detail located on the page labeled "Interior Construction Plan"

I was one of the fortunate folks to build my Spindrift in Graham's class. I don't have the plans. I benefited from using a jig, templates and serious assistance from Graham, Tom Lathrop and many, many others. I like the idea of rigging up thole pins and trying to find the best position. There is a specialty lumber supplier in my town. I might be able to find clear and straight spruce - premium prices, but they might be available.

[Hirilonde]

There are a couple considerations if you are going to experiment. One is the ideal location for comfort rowing. Another is rowing with passengers and stuff on board. My dinghy is used as a tender and seldom do I get to row it like I would if I were out rowing for fun or excercise. It is very different when you have sail bags, or some one else knees in your way. I found the 9" aft of the seat measurement to be a great compromise.

[Howard]

This is where they are located on the Spindrift 10 nester I built:

Center of oarlocks is about 45 inches in front of the transom corner. Don't know where that leaves it for you, but that is about right for me to comfortably row. I also glued on a 4" x 5" plywood doubler pad to keep the sides from racking. Don't know if that helped, but can't see that it hurt any either.