DBinPA Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Hey guys, im new to this forum and kinda new to boating. I just bought myself a 2009 Lund WC14 V-hull boat.....getting ready to hit some freshwater lakes this year. Now heres the question, I have a trolling motor allready and plan on getting a 8 or 9 HP gas motor before i hit the water. Do, or should i get Oars? I really dont want to just because of limited space on the boat. I dont believe they are required by the state. I figure if something happens to the gas motor, i have the trolling motor to get me back. What do you guys think???? Quote
memo43 Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Will the trolling motor be enough to move you around the waters that you want to choose. If it does carry the oars with you just in case. " you never know MURPHY might want to go fishing" that way you can save up for the gas motor without haveing to wait. get the oars strap them to the inside/outside an call it insurance. Congrats on your new boat by the way. memo Quote
smallie.huntin Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 I just bought my first boat (pics and post to come soon) but every boat I have been on has had an oar. It really doesn't take up that much space and if both the gas motor and trolling motor dies I would rather paddle with an oar then let it drift or jump off and kick. Good luck with the new boat. Quote
DawsonH Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Never, ever go without an oar. At least one. They can also be used to pull people out of the water, to signal if you need help, and as a weapon(this would be extreme but sometimes beavers and nutria rats go crazy). Quote
Super User Raul Posted March 12, 2009 Super User Posted March 12, 2009 Oars are like American Express ---> NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM S*t never happens until it happens and when it happens you wish it never happened. Now if you think that having to carry oars is a pain in the neck, get a couple of collapsible ones and you 'll have them there not getting in the way and if you need them there they are ready to be used. Oars have many uses other than rowing with them, like Dawson mentioned, they can be used to pull people out of the water, they can be used to avoid banging against objects, they can be used to push the boat. Quote
Dean Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Oars are like American Express ---> NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM S*t never happens until it happens and when it happens you wish it never happened. Now if you think that having to carry oars is a pain in the neck, get a couple of collapsible ones and you 'll have them there not getting in the way and if you need them there they are ready to be used. Oars have many uses other than rowing with them, like Dawson mentioned, they can be used to pull people out of the water, they can be used to avoid banging against objects, they can be used to push the boat. THAT! I can't stress it enough do not leave without oars, NO MATTER WHAT BOAT YOU HAVE. I remember being out in my 12' fiberglass boat, and I unexpectedly ran out of gas, and I had to OAR all the way back to camp against strong wind and white caps....it took like 3hrs to go not too far. Oars are a definite MUST. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 12, 2009 Super User Posted March 12, 2009 I don't even understand why this is a question - isn't at least ONE oar a US Coast Guard requirement, by law? Quote
Olebiker Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Are we talking about a pair of oars or a paddle? You are required to have a paddle. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 12, 2009 Super User Posted March 12, 2009 From what I could find on boating regulations, the Coast Guard does not have a paddle or oar requirement. In Virginia, it is not listed in the equipment requirement section. It is listed in the recommended safety devices. Quote
32251 Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Both my aluminum boats have oarlocks on them. They will both have oars in them! I plan to do some rowing for fun and exercise. Maybe I can get me a girl with a nice little frilly umbrella to sit in front and give me some incentive! Quote
H-SCbassman Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 What the other guys said. I never would go out in my boat without oars. About two years ago I was out with a friend on his boat in Briery Creek and we wandered out of the channel and pretty far out into the lake. For those who dont know the lake, that place is basically like a submerged forest, so navigating around all of the submerged trees can be like going through a mine field. We knew our way around pretty decent, or so we thought. On the way back, we ended up hitting a stump with the trolling motor and it broke on us. We then decided to fire up the gas engine to try to make it back to the channel, but for some reason that died on us that day too. Luckily, he had a set of collapsible oars in the boat. While it wasnt pleasant rowing ourselves back in while still trying to dodge the submerged trees, I figure it was better than being stuck out there. Like Memo said, "Murphy" must have decided to go fishing with us that day. So from personal experience, I would definitely recommend carying at least a set of collapsible ones because ya never know what kind of situation you might end up in. Quote
DBinPA Posted March 13, 2009 Author Posted March 13, 2009 Allright guys, you convinced me. I figured it would be wise to carry a set. Gonna try to fab some brackets so they will ride on the outside of the boat when im in the water. Quote
Super User Raul Posted March 13, 2009 Super User Posted March 13, 2009 Allright guys, you convinced me. I figured it would be wise to carry a set. Gonna try to fab some brackets so they will ride on the outside of the boat when im in the water. You don 't have to mount anything nor drill anything if you get a pair of collapsible ones. Quote
tennwalkinghorse Posted March 13, 2009 Posted March 13, 2009 Never, ever go without an oar. At least one. They can also be used to pull people out of the water, to signal if you need help, and as a weapon(this would be extreme but sometimes beavers and nutria rats go crazy). 2X Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted March 13, 2009 Super User Posted March 13, 2009 Allright guys, you convinced me. I figured it would be wise to carry a set. Gonna try to fab some brackets so they will ride on the outside of the boat when im in the water. I'd never carry anything like that outside the boat. The only things that can happen to them are all bad. Murphy's law dictates it. Just the time you need them, you'll find they are not there. And, you'll have no way of knowing where they fell off. They'll be a nuisance, snagging vegetation, tree branches, or worse, maybe fouling your line when you've hooked a personal best. Bungee them inside the boat with the blade flat against the side, and you'll hardly know they are there. Get the shortest oars you can for your size boat. Collapsible oars sound like a great idea, provided they are sturdy enough. Quote
DawsonH Posted March 13, 2009 Posted March 13, 2009 If your budget allows it get a bigger motor than that too. Quote
DBinPA Posted March 13, 2009 Author Posted March 13, 2009 Allright guys, you convinced me. I figured it would be wise to carry a set. Gonna try to fab some brackets so they will ride on the outside of the boat when im in the water. You don 't have to mount anything nor drill anything if you get a pair of collapsible ones. Ive been to Bass Pro and Gander Mountain......haven't seen collapsible ones yet. Not sure if they would be long enough and sturdt enough though.......gonna do some research Quote
CGH Posted March 14, 2009 Posted March 14, 2009 I saw them at wally-world on Wednesday March 11th. They are sweet. They collapse to a nice package and they extend to a very workable length. Kwik Tek Telescoping Paddle $18.98 - $23.98 Model No.: P-1 Weight (in pounds): 1.25 Product in Inches (L x W x H): 45.0 x 6.5 x 2.0 Wal-Mart No.: 000905709 Quote
Sharkbite Posted March 14, 2009 Posted March 14, 2009 Better to be safe the sorry. Just in case keep them in the boat. Quote
bassmedic46 Posted March 14, 2009 Posted March 14, 2009 Never leave home without your oars. Good safety practice. Quote
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