Belt and suspenders...

tod osier

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Since I built the Snowgoose, I?ve always wanted to have a set of oars as an engine backup. Given the beam of the boat, the oars need to be pretty long and there is no place to store oars that long in a decked boat. Break down oars in sufficient quality to get home when you really needed to put your back into it were too expensive.

I gave up on that idea a bought a kicker, since it was more compact. The allure of oars was always there. When we bought our river raft a couple years ago it needed high quality break down oars to get into a plane and a plan was hatched.

I built saddles that drop onto the 5/4 mahogany combings. The saddles needed to be higher than the combing for clearance.
wqQuCW9.jpg


Modified a set of oar locks to accept the large Cataract oars I have.
tbfVt7e.jpg


Deployed. The remaining step is paint and drilling a hole to serve as a pin once I determine balance. Until then a C clamp will serve to lock them in. To be honest, I'll probably never finish them beyond what I've done, however.
ZSmrcGW.jpg


Parts ready to be stowed.
cjUcVtM.jpg


Metal and wood parts packaged to be stowed under deck.
tiCgBGC.jpg


As for the belt AND suspenders? I still have the kicker and the mount I made many years ago to attach it. It needed a little work after banging around for years, so I sanded it and resealed to be stowed again.
AWUNDT4.jpg

 
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Tod,
Look like it will work just fine. In the event of a main engine failure, which comes out first, the oars or the kicker? Is the answer dependite on whether Gus is along or not?
 
Huntindave McCann said:
Tod,
Look like it will work just fine. In the event of a main engine failure, which comes out first, the oars or the kicker? Is the answer dependite on whether Gus is along or not?

:). Kicker always gets the nod, the boat runs right along at hull speed nicely with it. I just run it so infrequently, I don't trust it as much as I would if I ran it more. It has always run like a top, tho.
 
Having a set of oars along provides a nice sense of security. The larger boats I've been playing in the last few years are too big to row, I miss the oars. I think this may be the first time I've seen a closeup of your boat, you did nice work on it.

Dave's comment about Gus reminds me of what my father and grandfather would say when I wanted to use a boat alone at a very young age.....If you can row, you can go. [smile]
 
Good morning, Tod~


Very nice design - well-executed! It complies with my "rules" - always have a way to get yourself home.



The single paddle I see - for emergencies - in too many vessels is good only for handling the boat around the dock or ramp. Paddles are for canoes and every duckboat needs a pair of oars (and the other necessary ingredients).


But, you DO have to paint them and your outboard bracket the very same color as your fine boat.....(although Blaze Orange on the oar blades might not be a bad idea).



All the best,


SJS

 
Tod

Nice implementation on the oar locks. Also, I like the simplicity to how you pin the kicker bracket to hardware already in place. Neat idea. In the event that you do need to row home will you need a small stool to sit on or is the floorboard at a good level?

Eric
 
Eric Patterson said:
Tod

Nice implementation on the oar locks. Also, I like the simplicity to how you pin the kicker bracket to hardware already in place. Neat idea. In the event that you do need to row home will you need a small stool to sit on or is the floorboard at a good level?

Eric

Thanks! With the side height of the Snowgoose and the tall combings AND the need for the oarlocks to be high to clear the sheer with the blades in the water, the oar handles are actually comfortable height for rowing sitting on a bucket (which I always have with me). I don't plan to spend ANY time rowing it, though! I spend enough time rowing down rivers in the raft, I get my fix annually.

Kicker mount has worked well when I've used it.
 
Steve Sanford said:
Good morning, Tod~


Very nice design - well-executed! It complies with my "rules" - always have a way to get yourself home.



The single paddle I see - for emergencies - in too many vessels is good only for handling the boat around the dock or ramp. Paddles are for canoes and every duckboat needs a pair of oars (and the other necessary ingredients).


But, you DO have to paint them and your outboard bracket the very same color as your fine boat.....(although Blaze Orange on the oar blades might not be a bad idea).



All the best,


SJS

Agreed, I always want a way home if I can't walk (and I can't often from where I hunt). I suspect that I'll never finish them with paint, I bagged all the perishable parts in heavy duty contractor bags and they will probably be burnt with the boat when it is time. :).
 
MLBob Furia said:
[size 4]Great idea, Tod. Would be interesting to see the method you use to pin the brackets

If I get to it, I was just planning to drill a through hole for a satisfyingly sized stainless bolt with a couple washers and wingnut.
 
tod osier said:
MLBob Furia said:
Great idea, Tod. Would be interesting to see the method you use to pin the brackets



If I get to it, I was just planning to drill a through hole for a satisfyingly sized stainless bolt with a couple washers and wingnut.



Tod,
Might I suggest a more appropriate method for a traditionalist, would be some thing similar to the following brass key/wedge. I do suppose you might be able to cannibalize a stainless bolt from the spinner you no longer use. [angelic]




View attachment brass wedge.jpg
 
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