Oars?

paul sparkes · 16 January 2015, 14:36

Hi,

Just bought a 4.5m Avon adventure

Just wondering if i should get a set of oars for if things go wrong or would the boat be too big to manouver?

Thoughts please....

Thanks

JamesF · 16 January 2015, 15:06

They can be useful, but mostly for finding out how deep the water is, pushing yourself away from rocks, minimal control in the hands of your crew before the engine gets the idea of starting when the surf's rolling in. I've never found them of much use for propelling the boat though, even on a small RIB. We used to have a 4.2m Arimar that was a similar shape to the Avon Adventure, and that was hopeless with paddles.

I'd say: if you've got the space for them, it can't hurt to have them. But don't rely on them to get out of trouble in a hurry.

tonymac · 16 January 2015, 15:07

Got a set of oars for mine 7 years ago - never used them!

Don't think they would do any good anyway - possibly keep me off the sharp stuff if I ever get too close but then the boat hook does that too.

JamesF · 16 January 2015, 15:12

Oh, and they're handy for righting turtled Topper dinghies when the daggerboard falls out!

M.Thornton · 16 January 2015, 15:51

Always found a decent canoe paddle to be handier on a small rib

Nos4r2 · 16 January 2015, 15:52

I seem to remember being able to get a paddle with a boathook on the end. I'd have bought one when I saw them, but I've got collapsible oars that came with the SIB.

Maximus · 16 January 2015, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Thornton

Always found a decent canoe paddle to be handier on a small rib

X2
That size of RIB is definatly easy to manoeuvre with paddles.
(A lot easier than without,anyway...if power fails or is unusable for any reason!)
....Although it helps if you have TWO people who know how to use them!

Can be REALLY handy when they ARE needed,....and I think the Original Sea rider ones are more of a Paddle type anyway.

Peter_C · 16 January 2015, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Thornton

Always found a decent canoe paddle to be handier on a small rib

I used to only have one Zodiac branded oar and found it useless. So for $17 each I bought two canoe type paddles and have been very happy with them. I ripped out the Zodiac paddle mounts, sewed up some new larger mounts and mounted them inside the boat. They are completely out of the way until needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I seem to remember being able to get a paddle with a boathook on the end. I'd have bought one when I saw them, but I've got collapsible oars that came with the SIB.

Most canoe type paddles have enough of a hook to use. Even those collapsible ones have a decent hook on the end. The problem with the collapsible ones is they are weaker and will bend or break. The Amazon reviews on them are terrible. A single piece aluminum shaft is far stronger. You just never know when you might have to fight off a Great White shark with your paddle to protect yourself and your boat.

Boatnomad · 16 January 2015, 19:47

Have tried Oars (7ft) on a SR4.7, they are very limited, but if i was on my own i would prefer them to Paddles.

SpearRib · 17 January 2015, 04:38

i personally think id struggle to row my 14ft in 15 knot wind or any kind of current, let alone both going against me and a chop.

but if its flat water im sure they would work.

i think a long paddle is a must for launching and around rocks though. oars would do the same but i find a long paddle while up front does the job (provided im not in a 50cm chop lol).

each to their own.

plastic/ally oars tend to not last. good solid wood ones are worth the money generally speaking. nothing is garunteed though.

a good radio, possibly auxilary and safety gear is a must.

BogMonster · 17 January 2015, 09:25

Can't remember who it was on here that said the only thing oars/paddles were any good for in a rib was to write HELP on them and wave it at passing ships - pretty much sums up my view

I use the boathook for anything where I can reach the bottom, and the aux for anything where I can't. Mine's a bigger boat, but if you can make headway in anything more than about 10 knots of wind I'll be surprised.

Starovich · 17 January 2015, 10:56

Oars work best with rowlocks, dont think youll be fitting them to the rib.
I've always used paddles, and have collapsible ones the go in the console out of the way.

I find best way to use them is to sit astride the tube and the paddle like a canoe. As people have said tho, in any wind best you can hope for is some basic steerage, and most of the time you'll use them to punt off the seabed/rocks etc.

Only thing i can think of when oars are better is as a depth gauge, as they tend to be longer.

jambo · 17 January 2015, 11:17

I've got a couple of the sliding/lock type paddles that also have boat hooks on the end I find them very handy easy to store.

Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

9D280 · 19 January 2015, 00:40

As above, oars need rowlocks to be of any real use.

And if you have ever tried rowing an Avon Redstart/crest/shank then you will already know an anchor is probably a more useful bit of safety kit!

BogMonster · 19 January 2015, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

And if you have ever tried rowing an Avon Redstart/crest/shank then you will already know an anchor is probably a more useful bit of safety kit!

Rowing with an anchor must be really tough