I would go with 9 footers!
Best Size for Oars on Scadden Predator
The stock oars I received for the Predator are just 5 feet. I am contemplating an oar upgrade to a longer oar. Sure would appreciate any advice anyone has on size, type, and or brand. If I went the composite route is NFO the only source of pre drilled composite oars?
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The oar length formula is: 1/2 the distance between the oarlocks x3 + 6 inches.The stock oars I received for the Predator are just 5 feet. I am contemplating an oar upgrade to a longer oar. Sure would appreciate any advice anyone has on size, type, and or brand. If I went the composite route is NFO the only source of pre drilled composite oars?
I don't know whether or not another company offers pre-drilled composite oars.
Why do you feel the need for longer oars? Are you using it more in moving water than stillwater (just curious)? On a frameless boat of that size, I think 9' oars (unless DO was kidding) would be heavy, awkward, put a lot of torque on the boat since it is not a rigid frame. I may be wrong on that, but just something to consider.
I just use the oars that came with mine, Troutem.
Like you, I'm not running any rapids in the thing. And with fins on to maneuver while fishing, I just use the oars to get me from one spot on the lake to another. They seem efficient enough to me to get the job done for that.
Try them for awhile and I'll bet you'll get used to them.
Like you, I'm not running any rapids in the thing. And with fins on to maneuver while fishing, I just use the oars to get me from one spot on the lake to another. They seem efficient enough to me to get the job done for that.
Try them for awhile and I'll bet you'll get used to them.
Is the Predator a frameless?
Yes.Is the Predator a frameless?
I would strongly suggest NOT using longer oars. With the rack and pinion oar system and glued on oarlock pad, longer oars would increase the stress on that system and it will eventually fail. The frameless boats have been designed to use shorter oars for that reason.
Skitterbug's advice is good about not putting too much pressure on the rack and pinion oar system and glued-on oarlock pad. But if you use longer oars that are light in weight, you may be ok. My Renegade came with the same oars the Predator has. I upgraded to the light weight composite oars that Scadden offers. They are about 6'6". I only use them for fishing stillwater, and they work great for me. The cupped blades and longer length let me move more quickly if I have a lot of water to cover. Regarding oars with pre-drilled holes, I checked out the website for Watermaster. It is bigskyinflatables.com. They sell heavy duty Caviness oars for $65. They only weigh 3 lbs. You could weigh your Predator oars and compare the weights. I'm not sure how long the Caviness oars are, but you could call the Watermaster company and ask them.
It has nothing to do with the weight of the oars. With longer oars it creates more power, which causes more torque on the rack and pinion and glued oarlock pad. Not a big deal on lakes if you have a failure, but could have catastrophic consequences on a river!
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