Post by sculler72 on Jan 21, 2021 19:34:13 GMT
I'm fortunate to have 4 vintage scull oars that were Built off an Oar of my first Original Nellist Scull Boat I own. It was recovered with the Boat in Arcata Bottoms in a Barn 57 years ago.
The original oar was made from redwood and what looked like a formica material laminated. Fiberglass was just a thought back then and didn't come about until the early 40's.
The ends of this oar was very thin laminated over the redwood which kept it together, how ever it was attached. The edges were chipped and the corners on the end of the scull blade was also chipped pretty bad.. I glassed the edges watching not to affect the flex that blade had
I used this oar until I was 18 patching, fixing every year. I had no Idea of how I was going to replace it. I thought if I kept having to patch it, I'd eventually have to try and make an oar with hopefully help from? My fiber glassing was not spectacular to say the least.
After meeting MR Gordon MacIntosh He mentioned he'd like to take that oar and pattern it to make a few oars. He mentioned he would build my oars free as needed. Of coarse I indicated, a new free oar and when I need one they were mine free. I jumped on it. He did then returned the old oar back. I used it for a couple years and finally Broke the blade. But! now I had a new Oar which was identical but all laminated fiber glass. Gordon done a great job. He made and sold quite a few of those Oars. I ended up with 4 from flex to mediul stiff. My Son has a flexible one I built for His Nellist, and I keep the other 4 here.
The oars were beautiful and weighted for the individual whom wanted a light flexible Oar, or a very stiff Oar, and everything in between.
My, what I called formica oar was very flexible and just absolutely loved it. I could turn the oar upside down and scull my Nellist in very shallow water. I was learning all the tricks and that oar made the difference. I had speed if i needed it all the way to a crawl when needed.
Gordon Guaranteed he could copy that oar to the tee. Did he? Absolutely. Those whom have been around the block with sculling know of the sought after MacIntosh oars. He and I became very good friends and another old timer that did not scull accept when he rode along with some of the best. Bill Roberts, Bill nellist a couple of the well know Old Humboldt scullers. Gordon was a very well accomplished wood worker and was always intrigued with scullers. One more well know Scull Boat artist that didn't Scull, but He made a very important part of the Scull Boat. (The scull Oars)
Again gentleman thanks for listening. Hoping not to Bore anyone participating on the scullers forum.
ordon MacIntosh in the Center, Mr bill Roberts on his left.
ater Gordon added Small cartoonish Duck pics to his oars. # oars are there the other is in my scull raised and put away for the season. Sculler72
The original oar was made from redwood and what looked like a formica material laminated. Fiberglass was just a thought back then and didn't come about until the early 40's.
The ends of this oar was very thin laminated over the redwood which kept it together, how ever it was attached. The edges were chipped and the corners on the end of the scull blade was also chipped pretty bad.. I glassed the edges watching not to affect the flex that blade had
I used this oar until I was 18 patching, fixing every year. I had no Idea of how I was going to replace it. I thought if I kept having to patch it, I'd eventually have to try and make an oar with hopefully help from? My fiber glassing was not spectacular to say the least.
After meeting MR Gordon MacIntosh He mentioned he'd like to take that oar and pattern it to make a few oars. He mentioned he would build my oars free as needed. Of coarse I indicated, a new free oar and when I need one they were mine free. I jumped on it. He did then returned the old oar back. I used it for a couple years and finally Broke the blade. But! now I had a new Oar which was identical but all laminated fiber glass. Gordon done a great job. He made and sold quite a few of those Oars. I ended up with 4 from flex to mediul stiff. My Son has a flexible one I built for His Nellist, and I keep the other 4 here.
The oars were beautiful and weighted for the individual whom wanted a light flexible Oar, or a very stiff Oar, and everything in between.
My, what I called formica oar was very flexible and just absolutely loved it. I could turn the oar upside down and scull my Nellist in very shallow water. I was learning all the tricks and that oar made the difference. I had speed if i needed it all the way to a crawl when needed.
Gordon Guaranteed he could copy that oar to the tee. Did he? Absolutely. Those whom have been around the block with sculling know of the sought after MacIntosh oars. He and I became very good friends and another old timer that did not scull accept when he rode along with some of the best. Bill Roberts, Bill nellist a couple of the well know Old Humboldt scullers. Gordon was a very well accomplished wood worker and was always intrigued with scullers. One more well know Scull Boat artist that didn't Scull, but He made a very important part of the Scull Boat. (The scull Oars)
Again gentleman thanks for listening. Hoping not to Bore anyone participating on the scullers forum.
ordon MacIntosh in the Center, Mr bill Roberts on his left.
ater Gordon added Small cartoonish Duck pics to his oars. # oars are there the other is in my scull raised and put away for the season. Sculler72