Oar locks on a 16

[Mas]

Well find myself having to take care of a tweaked knee from playing 20 year old in the bumps skiing (am 64). Waaaaay to much time on the internet pondering projects. We recently acquired a CP16 and are thrilled to have one again. Already having fun planning little projects and the idea of being able to row her is one of those projects. I have talked to Keith Scott and seen his method, very robust though it does not seem to allow for feathering. Would love to hear from others who may have done this and what your thoughts are on the project.

Much appreciated in advance!

[Bob23]

  Well, I of course have to contribute to this. While I have no experience rowing my 23, when I got my Guideboat, she came with fixed pin oars and while they are fine, I prefer to feather my oars because, well that's how I prefer to row. You'll need either leather collars (don't think I'd go this route) or plastic (more practical) and round oarlocks installed on the oar before the collars. Go with the brass! The Compacs deserve the best!
  I'm not sure that feathering is a necessity for good rowing on a 16. You may want the simplicity of a fixed pin oar. More important is the length and there is a formula for this but I'm not sure it applies to your sailboat simply because you are sitting so much higher than a typical rowing craft. I rowed my old Seapearl 21 with a beam of only 62 inches with ancient 9 1/2 foot fir lifeguard boat oars that my father in law gave me and they worked fine. Looking back now, they were really too long but they were all I had. Without tide, I could hit  2 1/2 knots but that was before I took up rowing as a sport so I could do better today. But that was max.
Have fun...another thing to talk about on the 11th over some cold beer!! Not sure I have any photos of the rowing set up on the Seapearl.
Bob23

[Duckie]

I personally think that being able to row any small sailboat is almost mandatory.  The thought of being dead in the water when the wind and motor fail you, is the stuff of  nightmares.  I have not added row locks to my 16 because I haven't figured out how to do it without making a mess out of my combings.  I consider being able to row a safety enhancement.  Having said that, I too would be happy to read any thoughts on this subject. 

Al

[Citroen/Dave]

What about a sculling oar instead?  Storing anything on board is a problem; one oar instead of two?

[Mas]

Bob, we will clearly have much to discuss on the 11th, including the possibility of our leaving the country if the other project for you goes through! Will love to pick your brain on this topic.

Al, Spend some time on Keith Scott's website looking in his answers section. Scroll down to find his description on his install along with pics. In addition he has a wealth of info on sailing the 16 in many situations without a motor.

http://www.sailboatrichlands.com

Dave, Good thought, though sculling oars are a great way to propel a boat, a river bateaux used them as the confines of canals would not permit rowing oars, I wish a little more maneuverability and the ability to overcome possible wind and current issues. If careful in the selection of the oars, also on Keith's site, they can be placed through the companionway and stowed on a bunk or be left stowed to outside of combing when underway.

Bottom line, I have NO intention of throwing my little outboard overboard. Heck when we first learned to sail on a 16 a buzzillion years ago, we didn't even have a motor for almost two years. My crew (Susan) almost mutinied in a blow when the boom furling jammed and had no motor. Got a little used one that week! Shoulda done that from the beginning, happy crew=always ready to sail and supportive of boat ownership. 

[Jason]

Hi Everyone,

I love the oars on my Compac 16.  Installation details here. 

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=7372.msg54364#msg54364

Jason

[Mas]

Hi Everyone,

I love the oars on my Compac 16.  Installation details here. 

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=7372.msg54364#msg54364

Jason

Hey Jason, thanks so much for the link on your project. Was there a reason you chose to not put a metal plate on the outside of combing to assist in the torquing force that such long oars exert? Also can you feather yours? Looks as thought they have a pin thus probably no. Bob23 had mentioned the lack of need to feather in a 16 but guess some prior crewing experience in my past has left me thinking ya gotta feather! Wish I could remember the rig on a white water raft i used for one trip many years ago had. You don't want big standing waves hitting the full face of a paddle but also don't want one twisted out of your hands. Having the pin keeps the shaft from twisting on you but also means can't chance pitch of blade. Any more thoughts out there?

Another use of oars in addition to ice breaking (Jason you gunna reinforce her bow for channel cutting work!) is the ability to pole your craft in shallow situations with little horizontal clearance for the sweep of an oar. Another good application for sculling too.

Aint it fun to ponder projects for such small craft. You guys are the best.

[Jason]

Aloha,

I tried a couple different ways of attachment and the one I wound up with (through-bolting a side-mount oarlock to the outside of the coaming) worked best.  I cannot feather the oars due to the pin being clamped onto the oar loom, but I have not found that to be a problem.  Very pleased with the oars, and yes they are useful as poles to push off of the bottom or of nearby objects. 

Jason

[Mas]

Aloha,

I tried a couple different ways of attachment and the one I wound up with (through-bolting a side-mount oarlock to the outside of the foaming) worked best.  I cannot feather the oars due to the pin being clamped onto the oar loom, but I have not found that to be a problem.  Very pleased with the oars, and yes they are useful as poles to push off of the bottom or of nearby objects. 

Jason

Aloha to you too my friend! Did notice that you are up around Door County. One of my favorite places on this planet. I spent time on the lake side up near Sturgeon Bay on first trip ever there and been up and down the whole peninsula from Green Bay on up over others. Beautiful. There are several reasons could not live there though, and they start about November and run into May! Have been there during swim season however, which is if memory serves me right is August 1st and 2nd..

Thanks much Jason for the advice.