Oars

In the dinghy--yes we always carry oars. As far as in a C Dory--no. Either have two primary engines or a primary engine and kicker. My grandfather's boat had two 18 foot sweeps (oars), which were lashed under the main boom (30 foot Gaff rigged cutter 30 feet on deck--was a meat boat out of San Diego and then a Fishing boat before 1900).

Even a 20 foot boat, is hard to row, but add in high freeboard and windage, it is almost impossiable. I used to row a 16 foot Dory 6 miles every AM--but that is a lot different than a semi dory!
 
I have been up a creek without a paddle most of my life so I see no need to change now.

Like Bob says, I don't think that Judy would paddle very far before she would come up with a better idea on what to do with that paddle.

Never arm a woman and stick around. :D
 
During our Florida trip this past winter, Wild Blue and Discovery both carried a paddle. We did have occasion to use them once... while at anchor one evening, we both let out extra rode and rafted up for sundowners and conversation. The wind was light and variable, and eventually turned our raft-up around a time or two. We could see our rodes in the clear water, and set about paddling the two boats around to untwist the rodes. It was quiet (we could still converse), and we were able to slowly move the boats in rotation. I woudn't want to try to make any miles that way, but you could move the boat. I'd rather have it onboard.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
I think it is important to carry one oar/paddle, for safety's sake.

Once, on a sailboat with more freeboard than the CD-22, my wife and had to row (with one paddle) more than two miles back to the ramp, when we lost wind power and then our motor conked out as well.

I carry an oar with an extendable handle in the transom area of our CD-22 (see photo album). It also has a grab handle slot, so it can be used to pull someone in who has fallen (or jumped) overboard.

As pictured in the same photos, I also carry a portable ladder in the transom...primarily for safety reasons. It works great for climbing into the cockpit, when the boat is on the trailer as well as in the water.
 
A "propelling device" read oar is a required safety item in boats up to 8 metres (26') in Canada. A paddle from a dinghy, canoe paddle or kayak paddle all meet the requirement.
Ron
 
We carry a single canoe paddle in the cockpit and have used it on many occasions when coming into, on, or leaving an anchorage.

We also have the small oars for our dinghy in the cockpit when we carry our dinghy.
 
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