Paddles and Oars

[Paul White]

If the wind is light and you want to get back or get going, you need to have some means of propulsion. Adding an outboard engine adds weight and can get in the way when sailing.

Paddling or rowing doesn’t compromise the sailing experience and can be almost as effective – especially when used to augment the sails.

Hand Paddle

Use your hand! – It’s always with you and quite effective for short periods, just sit on the side of the cockpit in front of the ama arm and lean into the water to use your hand to paddle. Hang on to the jib sheet if you find it difficult to keep from falling in!

Even more effective is to actually use a “hand paddle” to enhance your pulling power.

These range from a simple plate with loops often used by swimmers. To those with bracing for the forearm or one-handed Kayak paddles and the Praddle which is designed for one armed paddling and very effective, according to one Weta owner.

Two handed paddles

Paddles for both hands are more effective and you can sit more upright between the mast and ama arm. For longer paddles you may find it more comfortable to sit on the bow so you can paddle either side of the boat, but you will either need a remote steering system or (less effective) a bungee loop attached to the mainsheet block cockpit ring which you can then hook over the end of the tiller to keep it straight ahead.  Another alternative (especially if there are two crew) is to paddle from the edge of the tramps and steer with the tiller extension.

Linda Wright  demonstrates her paddling position on the bow in readiness for the 300 mile Everglades Challenge event. You can also just see the foot-straps used for remote steering.

Telescopic Paddle

The telescopic paddle is an effective means of propulsion which will fit below deck – but it’s a tight squeeze for the standard 6″ hatch. Therefore, to avoid damaging the hatch thread*, you’ll need to grind/saw off about 5mm of each side of the paddle blade to enable it to easily fit. (*If the hatch thread is damaged it may come off in a capsize which compromises the buoyancy compartments and may make it impossible to right the boat). Take care to support the paddle with a hand half way down when using it because the joints are a weak point and can fail if put under too much strain.

Fixed Paddle

A fixed paddle is more robust if you have to paddle for any distance and they can be stored under the trampoline webbing  – either by creating a pocket and/or using bungee cord.

Oars
Oars are much more efficient than paddles especially if you need to counter a strong current.

You can add oarlocks to the gunwales between the ama arms and then you’ll need a board across the cockpit for a seat. The oars are stored using bungee to hold them under the rear ama arm when not in use and then inserted under the tramp edge for propulsion.

Single Sculling Oar

If you have the knack then you could follow one of the French Weta owners and create a bracket for a sculling oar on the stern of the boat. Possibly only really useful in light winds.

• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by Paul White.

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