Author Archives: Urban Oarsman

The building and launch of “Crwban” a 10′ Herreshoff Pram.

With the Covid-19 pandemic breaking out, it seemed as if “Social Distancing” by building a boat would be a good idea. I have always admired the Herreshoff Pram design in John Gardner’s “Building Classic Small Craft” book. I thought I … Continue reading

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Captive oarlock anti-clunk method.

While refinishing my “Bolgerized” oars, I decided to use Captive Oarlocks. Captive oarlocks go on the oars and are kept on the oarshaft by the button on the oar leathers. I use the Bolgerized oars with my “Trug” skiffs. One … Continue reading

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Bolgerizing Oars

In his book, “Small Boats”, Phil Bolger, in his essay on rowing, describes how to modify an ordinary mass production oar to make it more pleasant to use. With the current Covid-19 situation, maintaining one’s equipment may be the best … Continue reading

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The Urban Oarsman builds Brenne Clamps.

A long, long time ago I built Phil Bolger’s 11′ Defender design in glued lapstrake planking.  I made some long-reach clamps for the build.  They were pretty crude but they did the job. I used threaded rod and tried to … Continue reading

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The Urban Oarsman rows (and sails!) to the top of Pitt Lake with the Hollyburn Sailing Club 2019 May Long Weekend Paddle.

The Urban Oarsman, and three paddlers leave the rain of Vancouver and paddle & row into the sunshine of Pitt Lake Heather and I arrive at the Grant Narrows boat launch. It is $15 for me to launch Gwragedd Annwn … Continue reading

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Bee’s Wax or Snow Guard on Oar Leathers?

Using scrap pieces of leather, I put a dab of Snow Guard is on the Left and a piece of Bee’s Wax is on the right. Bee’s wax can be pretty expensive…Mountain Equipment Co-Op sells a 60 gram bee’s wax … Continue reading

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Leathering Oars.

For the Vancouver Wooden Boat Society, I am teaching a how to make Oars workshop at our new site, formerly the Old Coal House building, now the Wooden Boat Centre at 60 East Columbia Street in New Westminster, BC. This … Continue reading

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Gwragedd Annwn’s Cupped Spoon Oars.

Gwragedd Annwn has “D” section red cedar cupped spoon oars. They are 8’6″ in length and have a blade area of ≈125 square inches. I have two sets, sized for the fore and aft rowing positions. The fore pair weigh … Continue reading

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Making a birdsmouth hollow mast for Gwragedd Annwn part VI.

I quickly sand off the excess epoxy from the joint.  I will re-varnish this spot.  It will be covered by reflective tape later. I going to make up a plug for the mast base.  Because I reinforced the exterior of … Continue reading

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Making a birdsmouth hollow mast for Gwragedd Annwn part V

The epoxy has cured on the base of the mast reinforcing.  I used 6oz. cloth, left over from Paul’s Canoe build. I get out the wet/dry 350 grit sandpaper & bucket of warm water with a little soap again.  I … Continue reading

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