Row.....row...row your boat...........

[Harris]

As my motor gets so little use each season due to sailing off a mooring I am consider going motorless. The curse of the motor well has driven me to adapt this motorless feeling. I have the Alberg Sea Sprite 23 and sailing with the motor in the well never appealed to me weight or dragwise. The motor has been banished to below for increasing amounts of time eventually approaching all the time! Having just seen Larry and Lynn Pardy speak in AC I have been giving thought to oars. They used a large stern mounted sculling oar but I suspect that the speed was painfully slow. I found a pair of lifeguard oars that are 9 foot and a plastic covered aluminum shaft and plastic blades.Only $120/pair. I picture that sitting facing aft on the bridgedeck of my boat with comming mounted oarlocks near the winches that I will be able to row the boat. I'd like to got he 75 feet from the mooring to the yacht club dock without dragging the motor up.starting it and then putting it away. Also rounding a certain point in light air I often need a little help because of boat wake chop. Also those times that the wind dies entirely. I realise that it is foolhardy to consider this a posibility if it is too windy to sail. As Barnegat Bay has numerous sheltered coves etc running for shelter is never neccessary. I was just wondering if anyone has ever experimented with oar power on any of the keelboat under 25 feet and what type of speed and performance I can expect.Sounds like an idea?



hg@myhost.com

[Dana]

Well...having owned a SS23 (#731)....not owning a set of oars....but having a set of canoe paddles which we have used on the boat when the new Johnson would give out on us.....I would say the oars are fine if you have the room to store them.

I can imagine an oar lock which might be fitted to the top of the winches. The low freeboard of the boat really helps.



darenius@aol.com

[Lee H. Hodsdon]

Harris,

Sounds like you are really on to something here. I have experience in sculling a "sneak float" which may help in your decision. I would recommend the single sculling oar off the stern. It is easier to see and steer the boat as you are facing where you are going. You can put a lot of power into the single oar when standing, as you use your entire upper torso. The single oar can be stored on deck lashed to the stanchions (see Pardy) completly out of the way, and the oar lock is easily mounted and removed as well. Standing in the cockpit, you will have access to the tiller for drastic course changes when and if necessary. I'd at least try temporarily attaching an oar lock, a circular shape might be best, to the stren and giving it a try, I think you will like it. This way every one on the dock will see your smiling face as you approach!

Best Wishes,

Lee

As my motor gets so little use each season due to sailing off a mooring I am consider going motorless. The curse of the motor well has driven me to adapt this motorless feeling. I have the Alberg Sea Sprite 23 and sailing with the motor in the well never appealed to me weight or dragwise. The motor has been banished to below for increasing amounts of time eventually approaching all the time! Having just seen Larry and Lynn Pardy speak in AC I have been giving thought to oars. They used a large stern mounted sculling oar but I suspect that the speed was painfully slow. I found a pair of lifeguard oars that are 9 foot and a plastic covered aluminum shaft and plastic blades.Only $120/pair. I picture that sitting facing aft on the bridgedeck of my boat with comming mounted oarlocks near the winches that I will be able to row the boat. I'd like to got he 75 feet from the mooring to the yacht club dock without dragging the motor up.starting it and then putting it away. Also rounding a certain point in light air I often need a little help because of boat wake chop. Also those times that the wind dies entirely. I realise that it is foolhardy to consider this a posibility if it is too windy to sail. As Barnegat Bay has numerous sheltered coves etc running for shelter is never neccessary. I was just wondering if anyone has ever experimented with oar power on any of the keelboat under 25 feet and what type of speed and performance I can expect.Sounds like an idea?

lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com

[shaft]

Some years ago I read an article in a minor boating publication about this approach to propulsion. An extra puff of wind and a bit of current.... The title of the piece was something on the order of "Just Because an Idea is Stupid Doesn't Mean a Sailor Won't Try It"

Let us know how things turn out.



thebobers@erols.com

[john churchill]

sounds like a good idea to me. the trick is a wide base and a long oar. the pardey's is 14 feet(almost half as long as the boat). they have a nice long bowsprit to keep it on. i would think that a single oar to the side, with the oarsman straddling the tiller for directional control and navigation would be best.