Oar Position

[brichards44]

I am just getting started as a rower on my drift boat. I'm still playing with the oars and where they feel comfortable. Is there any standard position where you should keep your oars. How close do they need to be to use them correctly.

[JimmyHoffa]

I'm still green too, so maybe what I'm about to say isn't the best...  I have heard to keep them out as far as comfortable, such that you can get the best leverage/longest swing on them.  Mine have oarlocks that are preset, so I can't really adjust in or out.  Also been told to keep them low to the body so only about half the blade goes under.  Then just go about 45 degrees back to 45 degrees forward.  Hope this helps.

[HuntandFish]

Get oar rights, they are great. Make sure you keep the blades of your oars tilted back about 20-30 deg.  The further out your oar handles are from your body the more power you get, but the further out they are the less control you have, and ability to put your power into them. So its a careful balance. Basically you need to have them at a point where you feel you can put all your power into them if needed.
H&F

[CountryslickR]

Wherever feels most comfortable and where you feel like you get the most out of each stroke....remember when rowing to set up early, shallow well placed strokes give you more than deep strokes that screw up your rythm, and the only way to learn or improve is to get behind the oars and hit the water!

[CountryslickR]

Oh, and whats your boat like? New? Aluminum? Wood? Fiberglass? Never get tired of lookin at driftboats!!!

[brichards44]

I just got an 95 Alumaweld 16' for $2100. I think I got a good deal. Came with heater, 3 Sawyer Oars, and extras.

[bowtech721]

I would think you got a sweet ride for the price! right on 

[CountryslickR]

Sweet boat! I have the same boat except blue!!!!! Love it!

[walt]

Nice boat.  I have a 16' Willie.  No real standard position as it will depend on your size, the length of the oars, width of the boat, height of the sides, and where you like the bench, if it's adjustable.  You'll find where works best for you with time on the rivers.  Also, unless you will be staying on flat, slow water I would stay away from oar rights.  Being able to feather and change angles of the oar will increase your control which is essential when dodging rocks, hitting seams, and controlling speed and angles. 

[HuntandFish]

Oar rights are a great device for the novice rower, as it keeps your oars in a position to always get a clean stroke. I have seen allot of newbies miss a stroke in a tough spot and end up in a bind because they dropped or spun the oar so the blade is parallel to the water and gets no stroke.
It is a personal preference though some like it some don't. I like them just for the fact you can drop your oars in the water at anchor and the blades keep your boat straight. Also if you know what your doing you do not have to change the pitch of your oars when rowing. Just my  too each his own. You will figure it out.

[CountryslickR]

There are different situations when changing the pitch of your oars will help you out.....Thats why alot of people will choose not to run with oar rights...if you anchor up, just make sure that your oars are straight up and down, they may turn a little but takes about 0.5 of a second to right them again...