Oar Length

We offer both adjustable length and fixed length sculls and sweeps. Adjustable length oars feature a composite handle that allows 5 cm of adjustment. Fixed length oars are available with either a wooden handle or a bonded composite handle.

Relation of Oar Length to Gearing

We know from riding a bicycle that things go better if you are in the right gear. The same is true for rowing. The length of the oar, along with other variables like spread (distance from the centerline of the boat to the oarlock), blade size, blade type, inboard (distance from the handle end to the collar), catch angle, and so on, determines the gearing of the boat.

A long oar will give you a higher gear (heavier load) than a shorter oar. But this is really true only if the other parameters such as spread and inboard are the same, and the extra length of oar is outboard of the oarlock. Oar length is not the only way to change the gear. Moving the collar toward the blade will shorten the outboard lever and lengthen the inboard lever which will change your leverage and lower your gearing. Also, widening the spread will give you a lower gearing without changing the oar length.

General Guidelines

Although one can make do with any reasonable length oar, it will be easier to get a comfortable and more effective rig if you follow a few general guidelines:

  • The more efficient your blade, the shorter your oars should be to keep the load reasonable.
  • The slower the boat you are rowing, the shorter your oars should be.
  • The narrower the spread of your oarlocks, the shorter your oars should be.
  • The longer your reach, or more specifically, the greater the angle of your oar at the catch, the shorter your oar should be.
  • For sculls, rowing with less overlap of your handles, the shorter your oars should be.

Standard Length Options

We have set some standard length ranges for the adjustable oars, which are shown in the tables below. These ranges cover the lengths that most people use. Any five centimeter adjustable oar length range is available as a custom request, as are fixed length oars.

Adjustable Sculls

Length Range Fat SMOOTHIE SMOOTHIE or Big Blade
Short Range 274–279 cm Medium or long range appropriate for most users.
Medium Range 278–283 cm 284–289 cm
Long Range 280–285 cm 287–292 cm
Note: Any five centimeter adjustable oar length range for sculls is available as a custom order.

Adjustable Sweeps

Length Range Fat SMOOTHIE SMOOTHIE or Big Blade
Short Range 362–367 cm 367–372 cm
Medium Range 365–370 cm 370–375 cm
Long Range 368–373 cm 373–378 cm
Note: Any five centimeter adjustable oar length range for sweeps is available as a custom order.