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I've built 3 sets of oars so far and have come up with a method that I think works
pretty well. To calculate how long to make the oars, I rely on the forumla from Shaw & Tenney who make nicer oars
than I ever could.
In short; take the span of your boat between oar locks,
divide by 2 and then add 2 inches to that total.
Then, divide by 7.
Then, multiply by 25.
This gives you the length of oar in inches.
Optionally, dividing your oar length inches by 12 will give you an answer in feet. |
The leverage ratio is 7:18.
Total length of the oar equals one-seventh of the inboard length multiplied by 25.
Distance to the center of the oar leather from the end of the grip equals 7/25 of the
total length of the oar. |
- Find good quality spruce 2X4s of the length of your oar.
- Rip the 2X4 to get two 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" pieces.
- Trim to length of oar
- Rip 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" pieces in half to make pieces for the oar blades - you'll
need 4 pieces - two for each oar
- Using your table saw set at 45 degrees, bevel off the sides of the oar loom down to the
top of where the blades will attach.
Step 5a: You could also try doing bevels at 22.5 degrees but I've found it
doesn't make much difference.
- Using thickened epoxy and appropriate shims and clamps, attach the oar blade pieces made
in step 4 to each oar
- Use a handsaw to cut the blade shape you desire
- After the epoxy cures, sand the blades flat - I use 35 grit paper in my stationary
sander
- Determine the size of handgrip you wish. Set your table saw to the appropriate height
(1/8" - 1/4"), set your fence to the size of handgrip, and setting the oar loom
across the table saw and rotating it, cut off the excess material for the handgrip
- Lots of sanding
- Finish to taste.
- To leather the oars, I wrapped them with nylon cord and then varnished it.
It seems to be quite durable.
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