Evaluating Oar Damage - Shaft and Blade | Concept2

Evaluating Damage

We have made your oars as durable as possible within the limits of creating a lightweight racing oar. Accidents do happen, and some of those accidents may damage your oars. Some kinds of damage can be easily repaired at home; other damage may require shipping your oars back to Concept2.

  1. Inspect your oars carefully after any mishap where the oar may have met excessive stress, load or impact. These mishaps may include catching a bad crab (particularly if the shaft impacts the rigger), hitting a bridge abutment, finding a big log in the river, or being improperly padded in transportation.
  2. Do a thorough inspection:
    1. Check for blade dents.
    2. Inspect the shaft for cracks or bruises. Feel for soft spots on the shaft that could indicate invisible cracks.
    3. Check for water in the shaft.
  3. It is important to catch damage as soon as possible. It can be dangerous to row with a damaged oar.

Shaft Damage

Shaft damage should be treated if the damaged area becomes soft or crackles when squeezed by hand, or if there is visible sign of damage covering more than 1/4 of the shaft diameter. It is possible for you to repair minor damage, such as longitudinal cracks, using fiberglass, which you can obtain from Concept2. Repair of Longitudinal Shaft Crack Instructions are available online and are generally included with the fiberglass. In most other cases of shaft damage, it is advisable to return the oars to Concept2 for repair (see below for details).

A shaft that has completely broken into two or more parts cannot be satisfactorily repaired. A "green stick fracture," where the oar pieces are still connected and most of the longitudinal fibers are intact, can usually be repaired. The repair, depending on the size and location of the fracture, may slightly affect the weight and balance of the oar.

Blade Damage

Blade damage most often occurs at the edge of the blade due to scuffing or hitting against something. This kind of damage can generally be repaired fairly easily with some sanding and epoxy. See our Blade Repair Instruction Booklet for step-by-step instructions. If there is more serious structural damage to the blade, it can be replaced. Please contact your local Concept2 representative for more information about blade replacement options.

Returning Oars for Repair

  1. You MUST contact Concept2 or your Concept2 Authorized Oar Distributor for prior authorization before returning your oars for repair. We will need to know when to expect them. At that time, we will advise you of your shipping options. Quite often, a photograph can be helpful in diagnosing the problem.
  2. In the box with the oars, please include your name, address, daytime phone or fax number and an explanation of the repair needed. We suggest that you remove and keep the collars.

As specified in the warranty statement, all shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. You should prepay the freight charges to and from Concept2 or your local distributor.