RnG, I already have the oars and they fit the oar locks so I don't think I'll do the diameter change thing.

It sounds like I either need to get my hands on a chop saw or at least clamp the shaft down in the vise before doing any cutting. I'll put "dealing with oars" right behind "dealing with trailer lights" on my annoying scale.

I'll try to take some photos of the process and let everyone know how it turns out. Thanks for all the advice.

-Kaiser D.