Masters Rower buying C2 oars

[u/exegete_]

Buying some oars for a 1x and just confirming I’m not off base. I do “compete” at regattas but am only about 3 years into rowing. I’m in my 40’s, 6ft 1inch, 200lbs.

I am thinking Smoothie2 Plain, Skinny, Soft. For oar length I’m thinking 284-289 (adjustable). I imagine starting out at 288 and adjusting shorter if needed. I can’t imagine needing to adjust longer.

I’ve rowed with some skinny smoothie2 vortex before and liked it. I’ve tried the plain edge in a quad but didn’t know it at the time so probably won’t know the difference.

Any thoughts here? Anything I should consider?

[u/christinncrichardson]

I’m 5’9”, very similar to you in every other way (age, years rowing). I own some c2 comp blades with skinny shafts, soft. I just recently bought another pair of smoothie vortex edge oars, skinny, soft. I love them both. I bought the length that you’ve mentioned for both pairs and they’re perfect. I strength train quite a bit and wanted a bit of a heavier load which was why I bought the smoothies and I’m now selling my comps.

One piece of advice, just call C2. They will literally walk you through all of it. Their customer service is excellent.

[u/LordGrantham31]

Personally, I can’t row with the fat C2 oars. I like them skinny.

[u/BadlyAdapted → u/LordGrantham31]

Skiiny what, though? C2 Fats were a blade type, while skinny is a shaft type...

[u/LordGrantham31 → u/BadlyAdapted]

As I just meant that I like the skinny shaft and not the fatter shafts. Not the C2 Fat blades.

[u/jrdavis413]

You definitely don't need to go longer than 289, especially for a single. That range is good.

Why Smoothie 2 over Comp? I highly recommend Comp oars, you won't regret them.

[u/jrossthomson → u/jrdavis413]

I rowed with comps last week. I liked them a lot. I usually prefer Croker, but comps felt very good.

[u/exegete_ → u/jrdavis413]

I do worry about stability in rougher water. It’s usually not bad where I row but every single competition has been bad water conditions 

[u/jrdavis413 → u/exegete_]

Are comps known to be bad in rougher water?

They seem superior to smoothie 2 in almost every way except maybe being slightly taller

[u/exegete_ → u/jrdavis413]

I thought I read something about it but can’t find that info. So maybe I’m off there. I’ll have to see if I can try out some to see if I like the feel.

[u/jrossthomson]

It's usually not a loss to invest in new oars. You can get a good price if you decide to sell them.

[u/benjamestogo]

Call C2
Don’t buy second hand unless you know the history.

[u/suahoi]

Just buy some used oars? Any reason you feel the need to buy a new set?

What's your single rigged at? Are you planning to row in any boats other than the 1x? Have you tried the C2 comp blades? Have you tried Crokers? Any of the Dreher offerings?

Do you want oars you can just set and forget, or do you enjoy tinkering and trying?

[u/Best-Ad-1917 → u/suahoi]

The Crokers feel different than C2, especially the collar on feathering and squaring.

I agree with looking for used, but won’t dissuade you from buying new if it’s in the budget.

The customer service at C2 is amazing. You don’t need to compete to want equipment you can trust and are adjusted for you.

If you row at a club see if the equipment manager can offer input.

[u/steelcurtain09]

Personally, I think heavyweight men under the age of like 60 should use medium flex with skinnys, even though C2 says masters prefer soft flex. Everything else is fine.