On October 16th there will be a Oar Finishing session at the boat shop starting at 9:00 AM. Students and instructors from the Oar Making class will be finishing their oars. There will be no charge for the session but there may be a charge for any supplies you might use. There will be a leathering demonstration and leather available for purchase to make your own oar leathers. If you want to finish or refinish your oars, you should bring your own finish, brushes, paper towels and rags. Daly’s makes two excellent finishes for oars, oil based SeaFin Superspar varnish and water based AquaSpar varnish both are available from Woodcrafters in Portland.
Alaskan Yellow Cedar oar blanks will be available for sale. Alaskan Yellow Cedar is a moderately strong wood, stiff for its weight and with good shock resistance. It works easily and takes a good finish with both hand and machine tools. Like Port Orford cedar it is noted for its resistance to decay.