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.