How Do I Install An Oar Stop On My Cataract Oar?

At Cataract Oars we offer two options for oar stops – the rubber oar stop and the adjustable plastic oar stop. Our rubber oar stop is rather inexpensive. The main appeal of the rubber stop is the somewhat quieter rowing experience it provides and the ability to adjust the stop on the river without any tools. However, the rubber stop can be difficult to install due to its tightness, and does require elbow grease. Installing a rubber stop on your oar can take some finesse and force. The stops are meant to fit snug over the oar shaft.

The adjustable plastic oar stop on the other hand installs by backing out a few screws, slipping the oar stop over the oar and tightening the screws once you’ve placed the stop where you want it to sit. You’ll need to take a tool with you if you need to make adjustments on the river, but the adjustable plastic oar stop makes installation and removal a breeze.

Installing the Rubber Oar Stop on Your Cataract Oar

The Roll Method

Holding the oar shaft in an upright position, start by placing the rubber oar stop over the handle of the shaft and sliding it down to the shaft/handle interface (where the handle meets the shaft).
Once in place, use the palms of your hands to pull downward on the rubber stop until it flips over the interface onto the shaft. Continue to apply pressure downward, flipping or rolling the stop down the shaft until it reaches the desired location.
Working it over the rope wrap can be extra difficult but can be done by using a little more force and body weight when pulling and rolling the stop downward.
Once over the hump, you can nudge and shift the rubber oar stop into place.

A few tips to make the process easier:

Make sure your oar stop is warm. A cold stop will be less malleable and therefore more difficult to roll over your Cataract oar shaft. Knead your oar stop in your hand to warm it up. This will soften it and help it roll more easily over the oar shaft.
Use evenly distributed force. Don’t push against the stop but use your palms along the outer diameter of the stop to flip it down, turning it inside out. Lace your fingers together and pull downward using the palms of your hands to roll the oar stop.
If you’re unable to ease the oar stop over the rope, try sitting in a chair and using your feet to push the oar stop down over the rope wrap. Just be careful not to let your feet slip and end up with the handle of the shaft jabbing you in the gut.

The Harpoon Method

Gather the tools you’ll need: 4 cam straps and a ladder.
Using the cam straps suspend the rubber oar stop and around the ladder.
Tighten the straps until the rubber stop is stretched enough for the oar shaft to pass through.
Insert your Cataract oar in the stretched oar stop. Position the oar where you want the stop to rest on the shaft.
release the tension on the straps and pull the straps out through the stops.

The Adjustable Method

back out the screws on the adjustable plastic oar stop.
Slide the open stop over your Cataract oar.
Tighten the screws

Watch the video below for a quick demonstration on How to Install an Oar Stop. To purchase stops and other parts, go to www.cataractoars.com and look under accessories.