I agree on keeping the oar rites up higher on the shaft so they do not have an affect on your ability to feather. They are a must when anchored in fast water to keep your boat from wagging it's tail.

Bob, I too had an old pair of Cat's that the coating had come off of and would leave you with glass in your hands. I had some System Three epoxy left over from building the wood boat. I called Cataract and they said just paint them with the epoxy. I did, and it worked sweet. They'll easily last another 10 years.