Dreissigacker Oars have been designed to withstand the forces generated by rowing.  They are high performance equipment and are not specifically designed to withstand misuse.

Rowing

• You should not row at greater than 1/2 power if everyone in the boat is not rowing.
• Do not assume the oars will survive a collision or abuse simply because they are made of fiberglass and graphite
• When lying on a dock or on the ground, the tips (concave side) of the oars should be up and there should be no weight on the oars.
• If you row in salt water, we recommend rinsing the oars with fresh water after rowing, paying special attention to the sleeves, collars and oarlocks.

Storage

• Do not store your oars long-term in continuous sunlight.  Ultraviolet light will eventually degrade the surface and shorten the life of the oar.
• Do not store the oars in water, on a damp floor, or in wet grass, especially if they have wooden handles.
• Do not pile any weight on the oars.
• If adjustable handle oars must be stored outdoors when heavy rain is a possibility, be sure to store them with the handle end down.
• DANGER Electrical Conductivity: Carbon fibre is electrically conductive!  Keep oars away from power lines.

Common Maintenance Issues

Wear and Tear -
What Might Need Attention

Your Dreissigacker Oars have been designed and built to give you a lifetime of use. However, there are some parts of the oars that will eventually wear and require replacement. All of these parts are available from Concept2 and come with instructions.

Grips - The rubber grips on the sculling oars and composite sweep handles can be replaced with several options.

Handle - The wooden handles on sweep oars can be replaced in the field with the right tools or by returning them to Concept2.

Wear Plates and Collars - These are prone to abrasion if not kept clean and are easy to replace. Note that collar wear can be virtually eliminated by using a C.L.A.M. on your oar.

Evaluation of Damage to Your Oars

Accidents happen, and sometimes the results of a collision are not noticed until sometime later, giving the impression that the damage occurred while "just rowing". For example, when you catch a bad crab, it is very likely that the oar shaft will be pressed against the rigger backbrace with some considerable force, which may cause the shaft to crack. After any mishap where the oars are subjected to non-rowing stress, loads or impact, we recommend you look the oars over carefully, noting any blade delaminations, cracks or bruises in the shaft or presence of water in the shaft. If there is any question about the integrity of the oar, you should contact us for advice on how best to proceed.