I would like to get a spare set of oars for my 13 ft two person pontoon boat. What are the pro-cons of the various materials, split vrs one piece, etc? The manufacture is sending 8 ft two piece oars (I don't know what they are made of, they are some type of metal, not wood). Since I'm getting 8 ft should I buy 7 ft for variation? Your advice is appreciated!

Oh- where would you recommend I go to get these? I live in Redmond. Thx.

get some made out os composit material,love mine and they break down into 3 pieces. outdoor E has them

Well, depends on why you want the extra set. For whitewatering, we carried a full extra set. But that was as a necessity in case we damaged one, or lost one in a hard run. If you simply want an extra set as backups, you want the SAME length. For obvious reasons. If you lose one, or damage one, you'll want to replace one quickly. Same length means equal power on both sides of the boat. If you simply just want an alternate set, you can change up. But a 13' boat I would not go one inch under an 8'. If you're going to get oars, go 9'. You won't be sorry. I run 8' on my 10' catarafts. 10'+ on my bigger boats.

Ok, lets say you just want a backup oar(s). You only need one really. Unless you plan to whitewater, which the boat in question (if memory serves me which you are buying) isn't rated for it. So, you'd only need one. 2 is overkill to have on a boat. So I'd go cheap. I'd buy one Carlisle breakdown oar. Have to be a breakdown, since most oars are two piecers (you have the shaft and the blade). Breakdown you can store behind or on the side of rower. Just make sure it's setup similar to your oars (oar stop in same setting and if applicable having the oar set so it's snug in the oar locks).

Now, if you want another set for the boat just to have one. I'd go with a 9' set of Cataracts. More expensive, but truly a much better oar. Don't add the counterbalance (I never liked them personally), just get the plain 9' oars.