I’m in South Florida and am in need of 7 1/2 oars to go with my canoe oar rig from CLC. Can anyone recommend a good source? Has anyone ever tried aluminum oars (which are much cheaper)? CLC of course sells wooden oars, including Shaw and Tenneys. Their oars I know are great. But I’m looking for something cheaper. I don’t have any experience with the “utility oars” that CLC also sells. In fact, I’m not sure what a “utility oar” is.
I have the Woodland utility oars from CLC. I bought them just to have onboard when sailing, but I plan to make a set of 10’ oars for dedicated rowing. I was surprised with the quality of the Woodland oars. I wasn’t expecting much, but they are quite nicely done and light weight. The varnish work is good, the handles are unvarnished as they should be. The wood is clear with nice grain. I haven’t rowed with them yet, but all they need to do is move the boat around. At 7’ 10" they will be easier to stow and deploy.
I agree with Aaron. I bought a pair of the cheap oars from CLC for my GIS. I had originally intended that they would be a cheap/quick solution and planned to either make or buy a pair of spoon blades. Here I am eight years later still using them. I don’t row enough for anything better to really make a difference.
Nice photo. The oars don’t look particularly well balanced (e.g., thicker near the handles than near the blades). Am I wrong?
Wooden oars will often be tapered to counter balance the lighter more flexible blade end. Mine are built that way too.
Honestly, I am not a good judge regarding oars. I sail and paddle but row very infrequently. The inexpensive CLC oars seem fine to me, but have no doubt that an expensive set of spoon blades the correct length (9’) would be better.