Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Anybody ever streighten a crooked oar ?

Hey guy's/Gals,

I just got my first set of oars for my newly home built Kingfisher (its not quit finished yet).

I got them from a local river runners transport as "seconds" that came from Swansons Oar Co.

One of them is realy streight but the other is crooked as a politition.

I though of steaming it and then hanging some weights on it to pull it back streight, which I am sure will work but, it will take about 4-5 hrs of steaming before it will consider holding its shape since it's so thick in the middle of the shaft.

I am just wondering if anybody else here as ever attempted or been successful with streightening bend/crooked oars ?

All input is welcome.....

Mike

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on April 28, 2011 at 2:57pm

Mike: While I have not tried to straghten an oar I have taken too much "bend" out of an arch- for a knee lock. Steaming is fun - if you have the right setup. The "general rule of thumb" is 1hr per inch of thickness. I have found this varies with the species involved.. Get a section of 4" pvc pipe to fit the length of the shaft- unless the "curve" is also in the blade. A"turkey fryer" burner will provide lots of heat to make the steeam. Get a radiator hose from a junk yard, 2-5 gal can and rig up a flange/outlet to let the steam enter around the middle of the pipe. Fits are not that critical as you need the steam to"flow" through the pipe. Fire up the rig let it cook for 2 hrs or so. Have a set of blocks(2X4) screwed to your bench- or plank. Pull the oar out and quickly clamp the buggar in a straight line. Let it cool for a day or so and see how you did. If not repeat the process and adjust as required. Leather gloves are required and a wife/ close friend are helpful. I have put a 180 degree bend with a 4"radius in white oak( very little grain runout) with this method. Getting out a bend in an oar should be easier. Let us know if you have any sucess.