Having decided on
Tulip Poplar for my oars, I drove down to Hearne hardwoods and found a straight plank 12' long x 2" thick. I had them joint one edge. I cut the two looms to 1 3/4" square and then used my jointer to make them eight sided.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yankFp9y1nsWjqQvz8KLWZ3z90bM6LJ3eKPGlGo-s5EjH3ppMorJlJtOFTjWFu3cNmKbuANc448ZmmIBC-ak136l9jWEE6OoN-ytwPcnuUnw5vAYM18zf5OeNpsYqY9xYvJD0MN2TZok/s1600/IMG_20140308_172537_210.jpg) |
Make the loops eight sided |
I marked off 10" by 1 1/8" diameter handles and then cut them out.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwluNABPYdJ3K-4qpuJWoXSzcGatktulX5CiUXyQ5jbeP-I-pN_9kG9YLQwJxATbl4RZeEp606qqnDOC0oxRzoT2Nv5L9F2zHX-vCxLN7JpPdlqRow9RonOkysCnbSQ_GiCPmcMVD86PS-/s1600/IMG_20140531_105440_413.jpg) |
Cut out the handles |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisAGFbDH51ZDc4MSxKUOFMU1xEAixXgRGqJ80trcadpy9Rjaan0UnrldA4IjGYxrqawFYpzPdTE6oG0ofvElbpVZdtlwnDM9kbNrAhtDV4lwRNtcykxSTdtll9N2BZHwiOa9I9NHTxi18/s1600/IMG_20140531_111907_650.jpg) |
Make the handles eight sided |
I used a rasp, plane, chisel and sand paper to get everything mostly round. As with most of my projects, I was able to justify the purchase of a new tool. In this case it was a
saw rasp from duckworks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-a-hF1W7-4YM-Q8lzQF23OAIwNHR5LThMLNZPxZAphyWB34dq1Xz8iXOdDjOgkcENIP6vyofj4vpH8xMZAjSoMeahlEGN0VuuDVb-XuioTvxXbUcpvfLItdZLIWluzm6Bp6B8rY2ibbOV/s1600/IMG_20140531_120202_106.jpg) |
Round with a rasp and sand paper |
I should have cut out the curved flats where the blades meet the looms before I rounded the looms - it would have been so much easier. Ah well. Then I glued on the blades. I didn't have any marine plywood handy so I used AC Fir. I put a fillet of thickened epoxy and embedded five or ten strands of linear fiberglass into the fillet.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MD3JXTrraF-CIZrvZ0xH3Kt-ePaftjVOJAfgD9hoD1KietRkFSTU0ATsT8u6sHISHEabsBekjxMnB4TSzqropa_CLgX2BIUy7zM1ttDoX-qE2_1F-v7Aoc591ZQQoagfgkyq_rELFlHw/s1600/IMG_20140601_183517_648.jpg) |
Glue the blades |
I tapered the loom with a drawknife and gave everything a coat of epoxy. Then I put on three coats of spar varnish on the looms and a few coats of white rust-oleum enamel on the blades.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDBut24UrZjRe1h5xAM_Qf24lRM-krw6Cc3bQWbzRzA2I1W6SQ-A6To3tsOgrqMUr9v10e4iVqFP-Rx4950MHvn2O7yHY0OlDLZKhIsbi-qipkCqMGNRX8PvMjfaGo-DsCsdutSyIm7Bt/s1600/IMG_20140603_200844_343.jpg) |
Taper the looms |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxF4dRU_1ldBeXYhkCEd1PtBsYgOn0fQ2PVmdCLAg6x-7pjBcgRl1we0uhVlMgyqLIv9FkShqBlwySuuo4d2i0cEnLzRE6ocYjS1KUY7j5NnJwRW_QSIYL-I_r0QndxRGcIMk_QvjhP8o/s1600/IMG_20140603_204503_660.jpg) |
Coat with epoxy, then varnish |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHt1BryGeiK8VqSLu7H472Ln7Hqri4w0ZOH4V-vw0jraoHJYSzQxFL_7hr78NhlXI5phlIurvygsr3WikcX-b8wjZykxBasWBGphNWnxvTI3qIPA0p0qospWcRR10r5xUXNfEU_vlRcmg/s1600/IMG_20140622_163035_164.jpg) |
10' 3" - that is a long oar |
I made buttons (or stops) out of 1/4" nylon braid. I tied a turks head as tight as I could get it but it was still loose enough to slide when subjected to a lot of force. I varnished them in place - hopefully it will be good enough to keep them in place.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChgAnCUW13dEgidR39QAksZkuGR7TmOymjbnGv7GG0WlfwqdN28ilcXHw2jhpxeMK2w9Qhfq90fc-4G8GKw-5OT6Vf3ZxOIyUbtfLUHsmLj64dQNSW6cMFGjtdqZi31wMzLV-P9FEXk4D/s1600/IMG_20140701_212304_091.jpg) |
Turks Head Buttons |
After a trial row I found the oars needed counter weights. I chose 1 3/4" propeller shaft zincs, each weighing 2.5 lbs each. I think they are just right.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUdYMtC3lF9YJLKzkQzDbX_WK8d2WKxOx7LVi-pldIu8sb5HhE_MMYkkHB5tP3kvd27iYeSssOUS4xNTh1QJqTn1gMZ_dxP6PeyQrKmwJQF7RWnjZC1nPq3-ERqSnEJZuOgm23a6CQAgD/s1600/IMG_20140701_212314_619.jpg) |
Couterweights |
The cockpit coaming is about four or five inches inboard of where the oarlocks are normally mounted on a Core Sound 20 so I created outriggers out of ash and cherry. The geometry isn't ideal - I have to sit on four or more inches of foam cushions to be comfortable.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50T-bZnl9O-_JydXrY3HS_h4rG_yFlwK8tBUXAWpO3wLt8IeOiyOCjuhf_nKpFvV0Y_AMnm-wmhcUk_uh_qP86cvTy3hSp3H-_5xmNXjCrKS9waQHc9fT7dgIk4OBQgqgaTczKPw0O9ym/s1600/IMG_20140608_123935_761.jpg) |
Outriggers for oar locks |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_AMlnqG_NDY1WPO_WSt5xP7RyFLUWNBKCjtuoQOWluCDCg4DOmnXe9S-GEnMbh_8J-66PN4baSaf5MTDK8xONzN0q3OCLFs6m9pitMp_9bbvaKi_jRm9HhHD3_00qezzb-vCYYodvfjf/s1600/IMG_20140622_162753_480.jpg) |
Outriggers mounted on the coaming |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8rJn1L4flWvaEMgdt9-QPolkyLQAkhBd0OYKVQuH2H7gXVaeGNzlyr7Yu60Sr4BKYv8aXonGstrt5bs4trt3nP42C53JJw5gvpFU17dCPo6V1bC5PHuCtF4sUt3Ww69YKkS2iqI73I7V/s1600/IMG_20140610_212053_696.jpg) |
Stowed under the coaming |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdintxdXHHOQlILgM9Q6GLIvAAs1ATABJdlvMpAWHjrI-lUSF2Kod02UY77gSO1A_QJfppjv2NFL0Tr7iyZBlzyFAJ11Ws72hBYGQSlII_41d2Ec3_Gd8MvdiPTHZu23OGrDHrJOiWn2u/s1600/IMG_20140614_182709_885.jpg) |
Oars at the ready
|
I like your oars, Frank. I think one could be used for sculling over the stern in tight situations. If you are right handed, I suggest an oar lock off-center on the starboard side of the stern. Norm Wolfe
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm! I do have plans to add an oarlock with a similar setup as you have on your Normsboat.
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