I doubt the oars would work better than the original rudder, but maybe they'd work as well as some drawings I've seen for jury rigging a rudder for emergency use.
Several drawings I've seen depicting a jury rigged rudder used a rudder lashed amidships over the transom. The way it was lashed, it could hold a steady course, something that might be hard with the oar on one side, canoe-rudder style. I don't think the big worry is going to be turning the boat quickly, it's going to be hold a steady course so you can get to safe harbor without an outboard or regular rudder.
The only way to know is to try it, I guess. I'll have to try it and let the group know how well an oar in an oarlock works as an emergency replacement rudder, canoe-rudder style. While I'm at it, maybe I'll even try rowing :^), which is what they were installed for.
Fair winds, Judy B
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From: Bill Blohm[SMTP:bblohm@hpbs1686.boi.hp.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 1999 9:11 AM
To: wwpotter@tscnet.com
Subject: Re: Oarlocks for a P-15
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Judy,
After I sent the first reply to this, I got to thinking about
this part of your reply. I'd almost be willing to bet that the
oars would be every bit as effective a rudder, if not more so.
You'd have the blade way back, and I think the physics of it
would indicate a better rudder than the original? More leverage
against the water or some such? I know that if I stick the
paddle out to the side of the canoe, it turns, but if I lean
back and stick the paddle out behind and turn that way, it will
respond much more readily.
Bill B.
P-19 #454, Dream Catcher
Nampa, ID
"Judith Blumhorst, DC" wrote:
<SNIP>
> I carry them stowed aboard (out of the way, under the port cabinet and vberth) as a third propulsion system just in case both the wind and the outboard die. And if the rudder were to break, I could use them like a canoe-ing "stern rudder stoke" to steer pretty effectively.
>
> Fair winds,
> Judy B
> 1985 WWP-19 #266 Redwind