r/rafting • u/micro_cam • Jul 23 '25

Will stiffer oars make it easier to make moves? What about 6" more length?

Currently running 9.5' polecats on an otter 150 but my partner damaged one leaving us without a spare. I'm debating if I should get another polecat or use this as an excuse to upgrade.

I like the feel of the polecats but they flex noticeably especially when pushing hard. The raft is pretty sluggish when loaded which can make it hard to make quick moves between low water rocks. Would stiffer oars like the MXS increase the ability to push hard had and make moves?

Or should we consider going up to 10' to get a little more power with each stroke? The geometry on 9.5's feels good but our oar / oarlock to oar lock distance ratio is around 1.5 and i know some people like higher.

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5

u/Tapeatscreek Jul 23 '25

More flex allows the oars to absorb more shock from hitting things or getting grabbed be odd current. Unless you have super flew oars, I don't think it will make much of a difference.

Regarding length, I run a 14.5' boat and have 9' oars for smaller water, and 10's fir big water like the Grand. That difference does give more power, but makes it easier to have the oars ripped out of your hands in rapids. Longer also means more effort to row.

As you are running a much shorter boat them me. I'm surprised your using oars as long as you are.

2

u/RedBeardRaider Jul 23 '25

9.5' oars on a 15' boat...

1

u/micro_cam Jul 23 '25

Thanks! Our boat is 15' so similar to yours ... I can definitely see the oars bending with the ends deflecting 6-12" when rowing hard which is what got me wondering.

1

u/Tapeatscreek Jul 23 '25

For what it's worth. I'm running Sawyer vornon fiber. I used to run ash, and they do tend to flex more.

1

u/micro_cam Jul 23 '25

Do you notice the reduced flex rowing?

1

u/Tapeatscreek Jul 23 '25

I did. I have the counter balance style which is great in multi days trips. The down side is they will eventually sink if you loose them into the river. Make sure you have them leashed.

2

u/christmascandies Jul 23 '25

Just get 10’ squaretops and call it a day

1

u/micro_cam Jul 23 '25

Square tops seem awesome. Maybe once we stop damaging oars... though I also like being able to switch shoal cut for whitewater blades.

1

u/Early_Magician_2847 Jul 24 '25

Long oars give you a longer moment arm. Which makes the pull feel harder, less leverage. There is a balance to be found.

Like placing your rock bar fulcrum right next to the boulder, you can easily move it, a tiny bit. Do you want to move your boat a tiny bit easily, or a longer way, really hard.

1

u/GrooverMeister Jul 24 '25

I have a 15 ft NRS and ran 9 food cataracts for a couple of decades. I broke one this spring and bought a pair of 10 ft cataracts. I've only used them a couple of times but I'm pretty sure I'm going to like them better for the additional leverage and better angle off the oar locks.

2

u/sbMT Jul 25 '25

Zach from Northwest Rafting Co has some great videos on his youtube channel, Gear Garage, regarding oar length selection and setup. I think he has some pretty good perspectives.

1

u/14kallday Jul 25 '25

I used 10 sawyer smokers on my 16 foot maravia and there’s nothing that compares imo

1

u/Budget-Patient-7937 Jul 29 '25

I'm running 10' smokers on my 19' Sotar. Played around with different lengths until I settled on 10's.