Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

permanent oarlocks problems vs removable

As a mariner, I was trained to always remove oarlocks the moment they are not in use. It only takes a couple of seconds to remove or replace them.

Yet the fishing and river running community seams to leave theirs permanently placed - even during trailering.

When a person slips while on board[a very common occurance], oarlocks make a rough landing.

Also, as was mention in the other blog, when the boat in capsized [rare I admit] the permanently fastened oarlock will break, or break the gunale.

Third, the look of the boat and the beautiful sweeping lines [a major reason most of us love dories] is not quiet as graceful with the oarlocks in.

I don't get it, because it is SO EASY to rig a short lanyard through the oarlock socket to the oarloak with a stopper knnot and you can't lose it, even in a capsize.

All responses welcome.

Den in New Hampshire

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on May 17, 2009 at 7:35pm

Well Den, I think what you are talking about is good safety management. Here is a photo that Greg Hatten posted of his boat at the Port Townsend show last fall. Notice that he pulls the oar locks and places them in holes drilled on his rowers seat and used the locks as holders for the oars during transit. Very sharp and something more of us should do.

It will be interesting to hear what others think.

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Permalink Reply by David Jensen on May 17, 2009 at 8:34pm

I never do this, but by habit. Indeed, my stainless steel locks are padlocked in so they can't be stolen. But I was on a trip on the Middle Fork (Salmon) where a guest slipped, fell against the oarlock, and almost completely ripped his ear off. We had 2 ENT docs on the trip, the Oregon team physician with a suture kit, and at least 4 nurses, so had a great result. Thanks for the interesting post.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Dearing on May 20, 2009 at 6:25pm

Den,

Are you saying you don't run any type of oar keeper at all, just a tether? This wouldn't cut it on the type of water I row. Many times the oars will hit the bottom or rocks and push the oar upwards, without some kind of keeper the oarlock would pop out at very bad times when you likely need it the most.

I do agree that when the boat isn't being used its probably a good idea to pull them, but I also admit that I don't. My driftboats both have some kind of lynch pin that's easy to pull and I should start doing it. My rafts on the other hand aren't so easy to get off. I run the Sawyer Cobra oarlocks on them for unbelievable strength and unmatched oar motion. They're threaded on the bottom and are kept in the oar socket with a big nylock nut, not so easy to get off.

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on May 21, 2009 at 11:29am

I stole Gregs' oarlock mount Idea for my current build. It is a slick way to store those oars in transit and also odubles the safety factor. thumbs up.

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Permalink Reply by Karl Mueller on May 21, 2009 at 2:34pm

Don't really see the concern. Never hurt myself on them and Jensen's story is the first I've ever heard of anyone being hurt by them and while a bit of a specious argument oar lock injuries are probably about the least of our worries running the whitewater rivers of the northwest.

The times that someone is onboard and the oars are not in use are incredibly limited. I don't think the cost/ benefit analysis pencils out.

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Permalink Reply by David Jensen on May 21, 2009 at 7:26pm

Karl, my post about the bad injury could have been more clear. The boats were tied up on the bank and we were cooking dinner for the guests. One went down to the river to fish, and fell in the sloping gravel, ripping his ear on the oarlock. I agree that this is the only oarlock injury probably known, but it was damn serious, and without the docs and nurses, a real big emergency. Because it was a freak thing, that is why I leave mine padlocked in so they can't be easily stolen.