After sizing your raft for a frame, the next step is getting the correct oar size. An oar that is too long or too short can make it difficult to move your raft around, and is uncomfortable. Having the proper raft oar length personalized for you makes the whole experience much better.
Properly sizing your raft oars is really important. There are many considerations, and this article gives you a starting point to help you find the best raft oar length.
Raft Oar Considerations
The size of your raft oars has a lot to do with the size of the boat.
Your personal size also makes a big difference. If you're tall you're gonna need a little bit different oar size than somebody who’s shorter. There are also many different types of oars out there. There are rigid aluminum, full flexible wooden oars, and composites.
For illustration purposes we’ll use an average size person (5'8 - 5'10) paddling a 14' to 16' raft down the Lower Salmon on a four or five day trip.
Raft Size
When it comes to sizing your raft oars, a lot depends on how wide the raft is. So if you're rowing a big 16’ boat there's a lot of width to cover before the raft oar goes down to the water. If the oar’s too short you're gonna be rowing up higher to try and get a strong angle for the blade to be in the water.
A natural raft oar fit means a good angle down into the water with a comfortable stroke from your chest area.
Oar Balance
A lot depends on balance too. If you have the wrong raft oar size, especially if they’re too long, you can have a hard time holding the handles down. You want a nice balance with your oar.
For more info, check out NRS' Guide for Choosing Oar Length.
Rule of Thirds
Typically, you want about one third of your raft oar on the inside of the oar lock and two thirds of your oar on the outside of the lock.
When we talk about oar length, if we say 9’ that means the total length – oar shaft AND the blade – is 9’. Many oar shafts have detachable blades.
Taking Oar Mounts Into Consideration
If your oar mounts stick outside the edge of your raft frame, make sure you keep that in mind and measure the distance between the locks.
For example, you could have a raft with a 66" frame width. But if each of your oar locks fall 3 inches outside the frame, then your frame width measurement is really 6’ (72”), and not 66”.
So for that width we’d typically recommend a 9’ oar for that raft. That leaves about 3’ of oar on the inside and 6’ on the other side of the oar lock. Then you typically want about a fist width in between the handles inside the boat. This is so your thumbs aren't knocking against each other.
Oar Mount Tower Height
NRS has 6”, 8” and 10” oar mounts. What you choose will depend a lot on where and how you're sitting in the boat.
Typically, you're gonna go with an 8” or higher oar mount. The 6” aren't as popular as they used to be.
If you're sitting on a seat, that puts you up a little bit higher than if you’re just sitting on a dry box with no cushion. You’d want to get those oar mounts up a little bit higher so you can clear your knees.
I sit on a dry box with a sleeping pad draped over it and run 8” oar mounts.
NRS also sells a flip seat that can flip down onto your dry box. When you sit on the seat that raises you up quite a bit more and 10” oar mounts are better for this setup.
You really want to be comfortable, not bumping into your thighs and your knees all the time while you're rowing. If this is happening then you probably need to go with a higher oar mount.
If you have your raft setup on a trailer that's a great way to test everything. Just take the raft oar blades off the oar shafts, sit on the raft and pretend you’re going down the river. Row and make sure everything feels the way you want it to.
Nothing's worse than getting out on the river as the first time you've ever tested it out. Then you're stuck making adjustments as you drift into the first rapid.
How to Size Raft Oars Summary
This guide is just a starting point with some foundational tips to build off of and apply when you size your own raft oars. There's so many variables for everyone, it’s impossible to provide one-size-fits-all advice. These variables are your raft, frame width, your height, what you’re sitting on, and your paddling preferences. It's all about the process.
If you're looking to size your oar rafts, now you know where to start! Feel free to contact us below or visit us in store for any other questions you have!
Shop AQ Outfdoors Raft Oar Collection
Related Raft Articles
How to Size and Customize a Raft Frame
How to Attach a Frame to a Raft
How to Size a Raft Perimeter Line
Centre vs Stern Mount Raft Frame
How to Choose a Raft for Multi-Days and Whitewater
Hypalon vs PVC Raft: What's the Difference?
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
