I am looking for a light wood to make oars.

I have made several sets of oars using fir. Usually they are heavier than I would like. Once I used basswood which is marginally lighter. Has anyone tried cedar?  Usually I split a 2x4 and laminate strips of cherry and maple for a nice colorful blade.  The leathers would protect cedar from the oarlocks.  Any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by Ken Chaytor on December 22, 2019 at 3:29pm

Hi.....agreed. Cedar is only for canoe paddles ! That is where lightness and finesse is required.

As for oars....I have been in some lumpy water with a current not favorable, I would choose a stronger/slightly heavier wood which I can rely on to lean back with my pull and no matter the obstacle, know the wood will stand up. We are so much stronger when scared. ;-) Always bring spare oarlocks.

Permalink Reply by Ken Chaytor on December 22, 2019 at 3:39pm

Hi Don, I have two bandsaws. The vertical one shown in the pic is actually home made with 36 inch wheels and a tilting table. My other is a horizontal , 'push' bandsaw which I use for truing somewhat square timbers. My business is teak wood, importing and making boat parts. Semi retired, but going strong 4 hours a day ;-)  

Permalink Reply by Don Tyson on December 22, 2019 at 3:53pm

Ken, I've been an arborist most of my life and it seems like your the one having fun. I met a guy outside of LA a few years back and he does the same thing you do. I cut some logs here and there from residential arborists that would rather see me get them than to dump them. The guy that does my larger logs just got a 108" Lucas and is able to cut more of the giants from historic properties locally.
Western Red Cedar was new to me until I started selling in the Sierras around CA. I've since been given a small amount and used some for the gunnels on my boat. While I love it it dents simply by looking at it.
Would your teak oil be a stable replacement for varnish on Oars?

Permalink Reply by Shawn Baker on February 20, 2020 at 2:26pm

Hey Charles, any updates?

Permalink Reply by John Homer on March 19, 2020 at 6:24pm

oars%202.jpg

We use soft maple here. It has a lot of flexability and you can thin this down the loom to about 1 1/4". Weight per oar is about 3 1/2 lbs. Not super light but the water helps when in use. Never used these for drift boats but imagine it would work fine with minor modifications.

Permalink Reply by JC Smith on March 26, 2020 at 5:23pm

"Soft maple..." ? You are a North country - Adirondack guy for sure!  :)

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