We offer our sweeps and sculls in adjustable and fixed length.
- Adjustable oars feature a composite handle with a Length Adjustment System that allows for 5 cm of adjustment. This adjustment system makes it easier to share oars between boats (eights and fours, for example), and allows you to easily adjust oar length for difficult weather or racing conditions.
- Fixed-length oars feature either a bonded wood or composite handle.
Oar Length, Gearing and Rig
We know from riding a bike that things go better if you are in the right gear. The same is true for rowing.
The length of the oar, along with other variables like spread (distance from the centerline of the boat to the oarlock), blade size, blade type, inboard (distance from the handle end to the collar), catch angle, and so on, determine the boat gearing, also known as rig or rigging.
For a given rig, a longer oar gives a higher gear (heavier load) than a shorter oar. To lower the gear, you can:
- Shorten the overall oar length
- Shorten the outboard (move the collar toward the blade) to increase the inboard leverage
- Widen the spread, which shortens the length of the stroke in the water
Guidelines
Achieving a comfortable, effective rig is the key to keeping the load reasonable. In general, we recommend setting your oars or sculls shorter when rowing:
- With more efficient blades, like the Fat2.
- In a slower boat.
- With a narrower spread.
- With a longer reach/a greater catch angle.
- When you need less handle overlap while sculling.
Length Options
The following tables outline our typical oar length options for sweep and scull, all of which are adjustable. Additional options, including fixed length, are available. Contact customer service for more information.
| Sweeps | ||
|---|---|---|
| Range | Fat2 | Smoothie2 or Big Blade |
| Short | 362–367 cm | 367–372 cm |
| Medium | 365–370 cm | 370–375 cm |
| Long | 368–373 cm | 373–378 cm |
| Sculls | ||
|---|---|---|
| Range | Fat2 | Smoothie2 or Big Blade |
| Short | 275–280 cm | 281–286 cm |
| Medium | 278–283 cm | 284–289 cm |
| Long | 280–285 cm | 287–292 cm |