I’m thinking about playing around with DIY oars and oarlocks for my canoe. I am a cabinet maker so I have all the necessary machinery available to me.
Anyhow, my canoe is a common 12’ off brand “coleman” looking canoe. Not sure of the actual brand but it’s certainly not an Old Town or anything.
Given that I’m 5’7" and have fairly short arms, I’m not sure how long I should make the oars. BTW I’d probably make a these out of something like poplar, as a cheap prototype.
Later I’d make them from something more seaworthy, but I’ve found several layers of catalyzed varnish makes even cheap wood last for a long while.
Any suggestions on the length? This is a fishing canoe, by the way. Thanks!
Matt
OK folks, thanks for the help, especially that link above.
I made two oars today 7’ long, but I’m going to trim the handles down if they seem too long. I also built some cheap oarlocks mounted to a piece of 3/4" lumber that I can C-clamp to the side of the canoe for a temporary oarlock mount. I’ll give them a shot and see if my new shiney paddles are any good, or if I basically made two seven-foot long tongue depressors.
