Picked up my first drift boat. It came with a set of what I believe to be Cataract Oars. There is a label on one oar that is really faded and I believe it says catarack. They are Yellow Fiberglass shafts with wood handles and wood blades. Handles and blades are held in with a single phillips screw. The shafts seem to be fine, the handles and blades are junk. I removed screw and tried to remove blades but no luck, I believe the wood is rotted and swelled up. My question is, I just see blades now that have the push button to attach to shafts. Are these Shafts still servicable of can you not get blades and handles like this anymore?

modified cataract SGGs in yellow with Saywer blades would be my guess.

I would also say that Saywer has some like that too, but you seemed to have found the cataract name.

Post a pic

Will do when I get back home.

Heres a couple of Shots



and ...



Overall Pic not the best but Might get the Idea....

Them are junk. Just be safe and get new oars. Not worth putting your life and others by using old rotted/splintered oars.

There looks to be no delamination, discoloration or scratches into the matrix of the fiberglass, the shafts are solid just dirty. Obviously the blades and handles are not even fit for firewood. Curious if anyone knows these shafts.

Those are Saywer counter balance oars! I am not sure what shape
they are in but you can replace the handles and blades but if the
shafts have started to delaminate I would get a new set of oars!
Boy seeing those picture of OLD BLUE sure bring back the great fishing
we used to have!!

Congrats on a great boat. She deserves better treatment and some NEW oars.

Like my wife always reminds me; "Take care of your woman and she'll take care of you."

Well its at Lavro right now getting some TLC. New seat backs and the Dry Storage lid replaced. Should pick it up end of this week or so. Shes been cleaned out and look better then those pics. Those where taken when it was pulled out of its parking space. She was full of landscaping equipment and junk. When i get it back going to take 3M gel coat restore to it and a polisher.

Fishtale: When OLD BLUE is ready interested in a float somewhere?

I have a set of gull wood oars right now and row lakes and looking at Oar prices, makes sense to just get all new oars. Opinions on places to buy oars around North Seattle area... I'm leaning to Sawyer MX sticks.

Sure I know where we can float close to home!

Sawyer's got a web special going on some MX oars right now. Keep in mind anything over 9' is problematic with shipping. I'd give them a call and chat. They're great guys and will steer you straight and recommend the closest dealer. Good news, 9' are fine on a 16' Lavro, in fact I think Lavro was recommending them. Anything longer I'd go Square Tops, which are very light and well balanced; not a big fan of adding weight to balance oars, especially longer ones. For awhile there, Lavro was bringing in some custom Cataract oars. Who knows, maybe they'd work with you if you're getting some work done their too. Be sure to check out Dynelite blades before you jump. Good luck.