{"id":1947,"date":"2016-12-22T03:26:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-22T03:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gacooarlocks.com\/gaco\/?p=1947"},"modified":"2022-11-01T03:33:46","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T03:33:46","slug":"make-a-carbon-fibre-blade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gacooarlocks.com\/gaco\/make-a-carbon-fibre-blade\/","title":{"rendered":"Make a Carbon Fibre Blade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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It will help to understand this article if the \u201cTurbo blade\u201d article is read first.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The following article describes the advantages of the carbon fibre blade and how to make one. Not for everybody, but, there are those who will enjoy the creative activity. It may seem a lot of work but if engaged one step at a time can be quite enjoyable. If the time is not available then a blade can be purchased from Gaco to go with the Trapezoidal shaft that is described in \u201cA Superior Oar shaft\u201d. This shaft is quite easy and quick to make and is very stiff and light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original intention was to make the blade out of wood veneer but this made a compound shape difficult. So a fibreglass blade was designed and manufactured. Since then carbon fibre has been incorporated into the layup as some of the glass fibre blades failed. As well the shape of the blade has been radically altered as a result of new theories and experimentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionalists may object but the photos of three types of blades indicate the sort of improvement that can be obtained using modern materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Oars from right to left are, Flat blade, Spoon blade and carbon fibre Turbo blade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The flat blade is cheap and readily available. However it is cumbersome because the blade is heavy. The spoon blade is a nicely made oar that was commercially available in the middle of the last century, before outboards took over. The Turbo blade has been supplied to customers including a fit young lad who smashed the race record rowing around Dangar Island this year (2012). A review of the statistics for the oars illuminates my comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blade<\/td>Volume (1) <\/td>Area<\/td>Weight<\/td>Weight\/unit area<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>cm3<\/em><\/td>cm2<\/em><\/td>grams<\/td>g\/cm3<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Flat<\/td>1150<\/td>640<\/td>577<\/td>0.90<\/td><\/tr>
Spoon<\/td>900<\/td>620<\/td>448<\/td>0.71<\/td><\/tr>
Turbo<\/td>370<\/td>800<\/td>300<\/td>0.37<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
(Assumes density of 0.5 for wood and 0.8 for carbon blade)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The effort to swing a heavy blade back and forth in the stroke can be experienced by simply not entering the oar into the water, that is, to do an air stroke. Since the blade is at the end of the oar and moves further and faster, changing its momentum absorbs larger amounts of energy. This I why it is important to keep the oar light but especially the blade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be seen that the weight per unit area of the turbo blade is almost half that of the spoon blade. A skilful craftsman could possibly match the weight of the turbo blade with a light timber but it is doubtful he could match the strength, stiffness, durability, area and complex shape now being incorporated into the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The racing blade that is commonly used is 30% heavier than the turbo blade at 400 grams. The flat shape of the racing blade and the brute force of high performance rowers necessitate this extra strength. The turbo and sailing blades get much of their strength and stiffness from their compound shape in a similar way that an eggshell displays strength against compression. It is claimed that the racing blades are kept flattish to enable quick entry and exit from the water as rapid stroke making is desired. However this may be a reflection of the innate conservatism of the establishment. The turbo blade has not hindered rapid stroke making in our rowing boat races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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