I have 9'6" cataracts with the floating magnum blades, but they seem really heavy. I like them and there nice but I was looking at those msxg with the dinolite blades in a guys boat and was a little jealous. I don’t think I want to spend 500 bucks but I found the cataract razor blades that look alot like the dinolite ones. Do these carbon made blade last long I fish in forks and I’m no stud on the sticks so I need something durable as well. Any advice welcome

MSXG's. with floating blades. Hopefully Todd doesn't catch wind of this post!

Nice avatar Danny!

I have some custom lightweight Cataracts and a pair of Sawyers Square Tops with Dynelite blades. No complaints with the Cataracts, but the Square Tops are in a total class by themselves. IME, rowers of all levels can appreciate the difference.
Can't comment on durability of Razors, but the Dynelites seem more durable than my Magnums, which are not only heavier, but softer too. The Razor blades aren't cheap, but if you are looking for lighter, stiffer more durable blades like the Dynelites without having to buy the farm, get the Razors and keep the Magnums for back up. Replaceable blades are a nice advantage on the Cats. It might even be possible to get Dynelites that fit your Cats. Give Sawyers a call; Bruce has always been straight with me. The Dynelite blades on the ST's are factory replaceable only, a negative especially given the 9' UPS limit. But having said that, my Cats have been collecting dust ever since I got the ST's. They are that good. If you go Sawyer for Dynelite blades, I would not hesitate to look right past MSXG to the ST's.

wow those are different and nice lookin. I was lookin at balanced handles and the razor blades. Can you remove the handles on the cats and replace them with weighted handles?

mxg or whatever they were called, guy told me what they were but didnt remember the name

Don't know about weighted handles, but there are adjustable counterweight donuts available for your Cats.

yea that could be the quickest cheapest way to lighten up the oars id rather have the weighted handles hell id rather have those square top swayers, maybe one day thx mooch.

Fishrite Carbon Fiber oars...2 lbs ea. and strong as can be...been using em for a year now with no complaints...

9.5 on most boats are gonna be heavy since you have far more outside of the lock than you do inside. I run 9's and they balance well. Something a lot of peeps overlook is that balance point and it ain't gonna matter what sort of oar you run if you have an imbalance of length compared to your lock locale.

Probably the best advise yet. When I went to 9's, the balance and comfort was a night and day difference.

I think my msx-g's are 9'4" and I've got the Dynelite blades. I can't say enough good things about them. The blades themselves are finally showing some wear after several years of hardish use (I end up floating a lot of small water and blade bashing).

I got to row a little with Coley's new SquareTops and I thought they were stiffer from my msx-g's and, personally, I didn't like them quite as much.

I have Cataracts for my pontoon boat with the floating blades. They are much stiffer (granted, they are also shorter) but feel REALLY burly. Those floating blades can take a hell of a beating too.

-AP

i dont care how much we paid for our dynelights with counter balanced handles but they were worth every penny

my husband says...he called sawyer they said to run the pole cats...they are more forgiving...you dont need to spend the money on msxg...get the dynelights with the counter balanced handles...thats what my hubby said from the other room...he is in there building me a new rod

haha funny, one of these days i will get them dynelights but for now id just like to cheaply make mine alittle lighter. Meet a guy today that had the msx dinolights with the weighted handles and they were so easy to pick up i could push down with my pinkys and lift the blades no prob. Iv been told i can take the handles off and replace them with weighted handles. I dont know how to take them off tho and not sure if its even possible looking at them. Someone also told me i can get the oars cut down to0, but i dont trust myself enought to do that and id like to hear more about it being done. I seen a pair of those cat razor blades at thriftway and they were not a ton lighter that the magnum blades as i thought they would be. I think the best way to achive what im lookin for is to balance them and maybe shorten them if posible.

I replaced my magnums this year with the razors and love em. It made a pretty big difference as far as weight goes. Wouldnt mind getting some counterbalanced handles as well, but im with you on how difficult it could be to install them. Tried twisting them off, but no go. Ive heard cataract hamdles are replaceable though. Any imput about replacing handles would be much appreciated guys.

Unless you guys are looking to submit your altered oars as a piece of artwork, here is what you do:

1. I cut down my Cataracts for my pontoon boat (I think I cut them about 6 inches). I wrapped them with tape where the cut was going to be done and but through them with a Sawzall. Not hard. Then you are going to have to drill a new hole for the spring-loaded button to snap into. Just be sure you have the length right (before you make the first cut, measure from the end of the oar shaft to the factory hole. It really isn't that difficult.

2. Don't bother buying expensive handles or expensive Cataract weight donuts. Just get pencil lead and wrap the oars on the shaft JUST BELOW the handles. Then take Duct tape and wrap the the wraps of lead. Ideally, the weight is closest to the handle but this will certainly improve the balance.

-AP

If they are "really heavy" they have internal counterbalance weights. I have the same oars (9'6" Cataracts with magnum blades and internal counterbalance).
First, what is the measurment of your boat between oarlocks? Depending upon your boat the 9'6" may be too long, or the 9'0" may be too short. If you need the longer oars, you want the counterbalance. With 9' oars you may only want them if your boat is narrow, say with a 48" bottom and not much flair up to the oarlocks.
My Hyde runs about 75 inches at the oarlocks, and at times I wish my oars were shorter for better leverage, but most often the 9'6" is nice. the only time I don't like the counterbalance weight is when they are out of the oarlock.
Before you drop the $$ on new oars I would find someone who will lend you a pair to "test drive" in your own boat.

Yea mine are 76 inches apart. I dont mine the length as much as the weight. I emailed catacrat to see if they had the counter balance handles to replace mine so we will see. If not i think il try the weighted sleeves.

Probably not a big deal, considering the rest of this conversation...but the Magnums are not floaters...the floaters are a bit smaller, more square, and about ten times better than the Magnums.

Fish on...

Todd

Got a call back from cataract and they said i could get a set of those weighted handles, cut mine down and epoxy the new ones in. He said to use a lethe to cut them and file them to debure and rought the inside for the epoxy to set. Seems like a fairly easy process. He said the new counter blalance handles were about 15 each So compared to the sleeves for 80 im going to try it.