Aloha, How about row-ability? Anyone tried rafting or sculling oars, with oarlocks? They're available plenty long, light and strong for sure. Does add another awkward item to stow. However rafting oars at least are available in break-down (two piece, take-apart) versions to mitigate that issue. cheers, John S. On 11/26/2012 12:26 PM, Howard Audsley wrote:
From the MSOG...........
http://msog.org/how-to/oars.cfm
About 1 knot when it's calm. I have tried it in a chop with not much luck. I couldn't generate enough thrust with it to overcome the windage.
As an alternative, a straight oar of about 9 feet could be used to row from one side, or do double duty as a sculling oar off the stern.
For the hopelessly curious............
http://www.boatbuilding-links.de/Jim-Michalak/oar-building-and-rowing.htm
or built from the CLC plans........again........around 9 feet........
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/boat-gear/oars/wooden-oars-plans-patterns...
If you wanted to strictly scull with it, probably should add at least a foot of blade, but as shown in these designs, a nine footer could scull or row.
I have also used a Motor Guide 56 trolling motor with good success........until the battery runs down. About 3 to 3.5 knots max.
Bottom line is if you have to go to weather when the winds up, and you are in a confined channel and can't sail, you are probably going to want a gas motor.
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com