How to Wrap Oars

For rafters or open-deck boat rowers, wrapping oars reinforces their torsional strength and adds life to them. Wrapping oars is a two-step process: The actual wrapping and then the waterproofing of the wraps. This wrapping gives the oars added strength -- handy when taking on strong currents or big water where oars bend and are under tremendous physical pressure. Count on taking a full day to treat both oars, as waterproofing needs time to dry.

Things You'll Need

  • 5mm to 7mm marine cord
  • 18 inches of 3mm nylon cord
  • Small hammer
  • Small brass brads
  • Pliers
  • Waterproof tape
  • Knife
  • Lighter
  • Oar donuts
  • Waterproof lacquer spray or varnish
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Find the midpoint along the oar. Mark it with a full wrap of waterproof tape around the oar. Coil a small loop of the 3mm cord around the end of the larger 5mm-to-7mm cord.

    • 2

      Place one end of the large cord next to the tape. Tack it into the oar using a small brass brad and hammer. Wrap at least 12 to 14 coils of the large cord going up from the tape. Leave the coils slightly loose.

    • 3

      Push the 3mm cord through the coils on the oar, heading back down to the tape. Gently pull the 3mm cord through the coils until the large cord follows. Pull the large cord down through the coils.

    • 4

      Hold the last coil on the upside of the tape mark with one hand and pull the end of the cord out from the coils. Tighten the wraps around the oar as tightly as possible, without them overlapping. Make sure all wraps stay directly next to the oar handle. Loop the end near the cords around the oar and tie a small square knot in the end. Push all coils together as tightly as possible.

    • 5

      Repeat Steps 1-4 on the section of oar under the tape. Pull the tape off and remove the brads using pliers. Push the two sets of wrapped coils together on the oar and then slide an oar donut -- a black rubber ring -- around the cords. Spray the waterproof varnish or lacquer over the cords to secure to the oar and waterproof the cord further. If you had to cut any ends of the cord hold a lighter under the cut ends to melt them and prevent fraying.

    • 6

      Repeat Steps 1-5 on the opposite oar. Let both oars dry for eight to 10 hours.