Episode 5: Oars and Oar Locks

In this video Bob creates oar lock risers, and mounts them on the boat to receive the oar locks. In the second part of the video, installation of the leather collars are sewn on the oars.
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[@mattevans-koch9353]

Nice work on the oar leathers and the oar lock installation. Thank you again for the very nice videos.

[@geoffjenkins1487]

I needed to re-leather oars for our Cornish Pilot Gigs. Found this very useful. Clear, concise, well filmed. Our leather is approx. 4 mm thick so we soak in warm water for about 12 hours for flexibility. Also, we regularly tallow the oars (every time we go rowing) to feed the leather/lacing and increase its lifespan.

[@davidc6510]

Nice work on the oar locks. I like your attention to detail. Thanks for sharing!

[@ThaJay]

I would remove the finish from the handles of the ores. People always told me they are not supposed to be finished because the smooth surface would cause blisters from rowing whereas the smooth bare wood would be much softer on the skin.

[@cheryllyte4714]

Beautiful work!!!

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Thanks Cheryl!

[@PeterJames143]

nice work

[@shipskepr1]

excellent as usual

[@stephengent9974]

I would recommend putting a treatment on the leather to aid in making them water resistant. I think leather lacing, which is flat oval in profile, would have been a better choice for the stitching. The boat looks awesome. Also following your new build.

[@geoffjenkins1487]

We put beef tallow on the leathers.

[@elvergalarga3733]

New sub!

[@TSIRHCSEVAS]

to find out oar length: Measure the distance between the center of the port and starboard oar sockets, which hold the oar locks on each gunnel. This is called the “span” between the oarlocks. Divide the span by 2, and then add 2 to this number. The result is called the “inboard loom length” of the oar. Multiply the loom length by 25, and then divide that number by 7. The result is the proper oar length in inches. Round up or down to the closest 6” increment.

[@chriscowles1185]

Sounds like you desire the oars to overlap for some reason. Is that right? Why is that?

[@frestonworks]

@@chriscowles1185 I believe that’s the general calculus for working out the total oar length. As for the overlap- the positioning of the leather and button affects this. The measurement done for that finds the Center of the leather. And positioned at that point will overlap…..But of course when actually rowing the row lock won’t be at the centre of the leather (4.5inches in to Center)….. it will infact be up at the button. Approx 1/2- 1 inch of leather button plus 1 inch to par center. So another 2.5-3 inches will be removed each side from the total width. So instead of each being 1 inch to long. They will now be 1.5-2 inches short each- which is a 3-4 inch gap separation between them if I got that right.😅 I think hehe. Hope that helps.

[@roywilkowski2326]

Been rowing boats for almost 60 years. S&T, who's been making oars (not ores) for about a century longer than that, has your oars about a foot too short. I would concur

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Check aircraft spruce . They have one in the chicago land area. They are a homebuilder supply house that EAA,ers use for materials. Lots of specialty wood material including the highest guality aircraft ply wood! Check them out.

[@sheiladunk7583]

Hi Bob,in the UK. We would have what we called rowlocks,not oarlocks.

[@chriscowles1185]

Whoa where is that Chart of oar lengths??

[@chriscowles1185]

What is the name of these “sliding oar” method vs oarlock pins, aside from tradition, and why are they better?

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Hi Chris, They are call Round Oarlocks" Using the Round Oarlocks lets you feather the oars and won't let them fall off. Pinned oars are set vertical so there is no way you can feather the oars. If you want to learn how to row the wrong way, Pinned Oarlocks the ideal setup. Great question! Thanks for watching. Cheers, Bob

[@chriscowles1185]

@@TheArtofBoatBuilding I was informed that when rowing in heavier seas (not on a pond) such as in the Atlantic if the oars don’t feather it can mess up your stroke. Feathering oars avoids that. Is that your understanding? This guy loved to “surf” the waves in his 18’ dory row boat.

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

@@chriscowles1185 Yes, It's my understanding that no matter where you are rowing that feathering the oars in advisable.

[@AndyJarman]

Don't understand why there are 'risers'. If using rowlocks it is better to mount them on brass socket plates flush with the top of the gunwhales. When climbing into the boat after a capsize you don't want protrusions above the gunwhales grazing the inside of your thighs and your ribs as you pull yourself up into the boat. Rowlocks have a stem on them so you don't have to have risers like you would if using tholes.

[@thomasarussellsr]

The volume is a bit low. I have my speakers turned full bore and can barely hear you.

[@MrRobbie1962]

7’6” = 90 inches as far as I recall my imperial measurements. 54” = 4’6”...... That oar looked to be 7’6” not 4’6”. Just saying.

[@SaltBayGull]

I think 54” is the span between the oarlocks. He was looking it up in a table, so a 54” span gave him a 7’6” oar length.