Ok so I am getting going on my cat frame again. One of the big things I nead to get are some good oars.

I run the Sawyer MX-G on my Willie. but I am not sure what to do with the Cat. the tubes are 16'x26" I think I want 10' oars and a good wide blade. I want either the Sawyer balanced oars or the same in the Catarac oars. I know they are good oars but where can I buy them for cats? or are they the same for both drift boats and cats? does anybody know of a place on the net where I can order them?

One other question. will the catarac oars float if I drop them in the river? I know my Sawyer wood blades will!!!!!LOL


dc

I purchased the Sawyer MG-X for my 19' Willie drift boat last year and they work ok.

This year I bought a 17' Willie and purchased the 9'4" Cataracs /magumn blades and they are much better IMHO. Not sure if they float but I would bet they do.

I bought the oars at Fish Rite Boats. Willie doesn't handle the Cataracs. I've got a list of dealers along the I-5 route in Oregon if you are interested. Around $285.00 or so.

i bought my cats from sportco in fife.i believe they were 265.00 for the pair,standard blades.best oars i have ever used scott

I'd say at least go with 9' cataracts. I have an 8' set on mine with the option of putting 1' extenders in mine. That way I can run 8' on smaller rivers or low flows, and 9's when I'm on bigger water.

You can buy them at Sportco. If you keep your eyes peeled, they do put the cataracts on sale every now and then.

Well, I know the blades float. I've never had my oars come all the way off. But I run pin and clips with lanyards. It's almost impossible for my oars to fall totally in the water. You never know, you may want to invest in a set of pin/clips. If you ever want to see my set up, we can hook up. They're pretty cool, made for whitewatering. Basically the same as oarrights but the oars stay stationary and pivot up and down but don't roll. They have their negatives, but I love them.

Next time you remove the blades look inside the cataracs. They have foam inside to float the shafts too! If you remove the foam they will sink!

Bob D

Yes, the Cat oars float very well.

And if this post gets anyone wondering whatever happened to my old plans for trying to help us all get ahold of some "seconds" at a nice discount, I never had enough interest to make it worth putting in an order.

Bruce

ok I think I will go with the Catarac. but I have looked at Sportco and they don't have them in the 10' that is why I was woundering where I could order them from.


I like the idea of putting a pin system on so they don't drop in the water. I had that happen on the Cowlitz a few weeks ago. luck for me a sled got it for me.


dc

If Sportco does not have them, try your local smaller Cataract dealers as they would be kind enough to order in a pair for you and then you can also customize the options.

[ 12-05-2001: Message edited by: RPetzold ]