Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
Spruce Oars
I'm looking for a nice pair of spruce oars, I know a bunch of you have them but I don't know where you get them, I am looking for suggestions or a place to buy a pair. I don't want ash oars because of the weight, I mostly float flat water here in Idaho. Looking for recommendations, thanks.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steven Miller on
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i'm making mine. took me about two hours so far. NO ONE around this area sells them; not spruce or wood for that matter
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Permalink Reply by Joe Dengler on
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Hey Steven, are you laminating or using solid blanks. I'd like to make some too this summer and any input would be great - Thanks - Joe
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Holy Cow I just saw this and it's almost a year old. Believe it or not I am just now finishing the other Oar. I work for the DoD so sometimes I get busy ;-)
I made them out of a single piece of spruce. Took forever to find a piece that wasn't knotty or the grain didn't run out on. I will post pics if I can remember, and have time!
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Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on
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Dan,
The very best spruce oars I have used are made by the guys at www.barkleysoundoars.com . I get mine from Ray Heater. You can order direct from Barkley Sound. Even with shipping they are a very good price.
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Permalink Reply by lhedrick on
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I will second that opinion. I rowed a set of the Barkley oars last year. I liked them more then anything I have ever tried. I think the oars I tried were not made for dories but some other type of boat as they were thicker. I normally row a set of 9 foot 6 glass cataract oars.
The oars I tried were wrapped with nylon seatbelt webbing. They were just a bit fat for cobra locks. I talked with the folks at Barkley about making a set just 1/8 thinner but they said something about their templates were not setup up for that which seemed a bit strange to me. I still think I will get a pair and just sand them down a bit.
They were light and just the amount of spring that I like.
L
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Permalink Reply by Bill Neal on
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An interesting note about Barkley Sound Oars--it is actually a one man shop, with Ken doing everything himself, including the varnishing which he does by dipping the oars in a big vat of varnish. I had the pleasure of stopping by the shop 2 years ago and had a full tour of his operation. I have had a number of his oars and paddles over the past 25 years, and the one suggestion I would make--if you are going to use them in any whitewater--is to reinforce the blade tips with cloth and epoxy, and protect the oarlock areas with leather or epoxy-saturated rope whipping since the spruce resists abrasion and impact less than does ash.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Burr on
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AJ,
Where do you get your marine plywood? I need some small pieces for a few parts and have never bought any.
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Dan,
We have a good stash of 1/4" and 1/2" 1088 meranti. We can help you out. Give me a call.
AJ
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AJ--I have been getting marine ply delivered to me in Wilson from Macbeath Hardwoods in Salt Lake. This has been great when they have Joubert from France, and not great when they have only other brands/specs. From where have you been getting your marine ply? Bill
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Permalink Reply by Kelly Neu on
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I've also got a set of BarkleySound Oars. They're great. The varnish has held up well in the salt water. They're light and strong. Thumbs up from me.
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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on
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Its a long way from you ,but Shaw and Tenny of Orono Maine have been making oars and paddles since 1858. They are not cheap but highest quality in ash and spruce. I don't think they make any laminated oars- all solid.
Good Luck
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