Shaft Construction
Our goal is to design, develop and configure the best performing sweep and sculling oars for every rower and crew. We are proud to bring major shaft innovations to the rowing community, such as the world’s first controlled force and energy shaft (mechanical energy eShaft) and UV-protective shaft. All shafts are built using our proprietary UV-protective epoxy gelcoat, preserving all high-performance parameters and characteristics for a long period of time. BRAČA-SPORT® technology guarantees the weight for specific set of sculls and sweep oars, with a variance of no more than ± 5 g (0.005 kg, 0.011 lb, 0.1764 oz).
BRAČA-SPORT® Ultra Light (Yellow band) is our most advanced and sophisticated design and represents the highest level of technology offered by BRAČA-SPORT. They have the highest level of performance characteristics. This is achieved by using our proprietary multi-layer and multi-characteristic lay-up methods of our own proprietary 100% pure high modulus carbon (HMC) fabrics.
BRAČA-SPORT® Ultra Light Nano is our small diameter shaft, which features an exclusive design and all the high performance characteristics of the Ultra Light shaft. The Nano shafts are hand made with the highest grade of high modulus carbon. We use our lightest prepreg carbon fabrics – Unipreg®, specifcally manufactured for rowing oars. The Ultra Light Nano is the only small diameter shaft with a wide stiffness range. They are designed for highly competitive and elite rowers of all sizes.
BRAČA-SPORT® Standard (Red band) is an advanced design and a unique material combination that has the highest possible impact resistance and durability. They are lower in carbon content and 20% heavier than the Ultra Light type. This is a good choice for club or scholastic programs where durability and performance are a key factor.
BRAČA-SPORT® Recreational (Green band) is a unique design that reduces carbon content to 40% and continues to provide excellent performance characteristics. They maintain high impact resistance and weigh only 11% more that the Standard type. This is a cost effective solution for the casual and recreational rower.
WEIGHT RANGES FOR EACH CATEGORY
Weight within a range is dependent on oar configuration
| Ultra Light Nano | Ultra Light | Standard | Recreational | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sculls | 1.35 – 1.50 kg 2.98 – 3.30 lb 47.62 – 52.91 oz 1350 – 1500 g |
1.35 – 1.50 kg 2.98 – 3.30 lb 47.62 – 52.91 oz 1350 – 1500 g |
1.50 – 1.70 kg 3.31 – 3.75 lb 52.91 – 59.97 oz 1500 – 1700 g |
1.80 – 1.90 kg 3.97 – 4.19 lb 63.49 – 67.02 oz 1800 – 1900 g |
| Sweeps | 2.40 – 2.60 kg 5.29 – 5.73 lb 84.66 – 91.71 oz 2400 – 2600 g |
2.40 – 2.60 kg 5.29 – 5.73 lb 84.66 – 91.71 oz 2400 – 2600 g |
2.60 – 3.00 kg 5.73 – 6.61 lb 91.71 – 105.80 oz 2600 – 3000 g |
Other Shaft Properties
BRACA-SPORT Rowing Oars Stiffness
The Ultra Light and Ultra Light Nano BRAČA-SPORT® shafts are available in many precise levels as shown in table below. Each shaft is designed and built for a specific stiffness and then measured and verified for accuracy before it is assembled. The stiffness variable (deflection) of the oar is measured using a 10kg weight as shown in the figure above. For any set of sculls or oars, the stiffness will vary no more than ± 0.1 cm.
| F | G | H (cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stiff ———————————————————————————————- Soft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | ||||
| Sculls | Ultra Light Nano | 150 cm59.06 in |
65 cm25.59 in |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ultra Light | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Standard | Stiff | Soft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recreational | Default | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | ||||
| Sweeps | Ultra Light Nano | 205 cm80.71 in |
65 cm25.59 in |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ultra Light | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Standard | Stiff | Soft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BRAČA-SPORT® offers adjustable and fixed length scull and sweep oars. Correct oar length directly corresponds to the overall boat performance. Optimal oar length is generally determined by a rower’s technical style, physiological condition of crew, physical characteristics, and boat rigging. Many factors affect optimal leverage such as blade design and size, and inboard settings. A longer oar provides more leverage than a short one.
Our standard production lengths are shown in the table below. Adjustable oars allow for more precise and versatile fine-tuning. Each oar range of adjustment is 50 mm and labeled with exact min and max length. For adjustable oars all the variable factors for optimal performance are set in the middle of the range, for example, a 370-375 cm length oar has optimal performance at 372.5 cm. Non-standard requests are available upon request. Please contact us for details.
Standard Oar Lengths:
| Double Wing Blade | Fusion Blade | Sharp Blade | Big Blade | Macon Blade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sculls | 245-305 cm 96.46-120.09 in |
245-305 cm 96.46-120.09 in |
245-296 cm 96.46-116.54 in |
245-296 cm 96.46-116.54 in |
245-305 cm 96.46-120.09 in |
| Sweeps | 350-430 cm 137.79-169.29 in |
350-430 cm 137.79-169.29 in |
350-430 cm 137.79-169.29 in |
350-430 cm 137.79-169.29 in |
350-430 cm 137.79-169.29 in |
Our center of gravity facilitates an effortless BRAČA-SPORT® signature catch during the stroke. BRAČA-SPORT® unique electronic equipment allows us to fine-tune the center of gravity (CG) of the specific set of sculls and sweep oars with Zero cm(inches) error. This ensures that all sculls and sweep oars in the particular set are evenly distributed to each side of a boat to reduce disturbances to the boat’s balance.
The center of gravity is determined by balancing the oar on a narrow support structure.
Center of Gravity:
| Ultra Light Nano | Ultra Light | Standard | Recreational | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sculls | 147 – 152 cm 57.87 – 59.84 in |
146 – 151 cm 57.48 – 59.45 in |
143 – 146 cm 56.30 – 57.48 in |
140 – 143 cm 55.12 – 56.30 in |
| Sweeps | 187 – 192 cm 73.62 – 75.59 in |
186 – 191 cm 73.23 – 75.20 in |
183 – 186 cm 72.05 – 73.23 in |
not available |
BRAČA-SPORT® standard positioning of our sleeves are equipped with a wide range of adjustment capabilities to satisfy a variety of rigging settings.
All inboard settings components are fitted with BRAČA-SPORT® proprietary design black sleeves and yellow buttons.
Specific requests for oars and sculls that require non-standard positioning can also be specified at the time of order. Please contact your dealer for details.
Inboard Settings Range:
| K (cm/in) | S (cm/in) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustable | Standard | Adjustable | Standard | |
| Sculls | 75 cm 29.53 in |
75 cm 29.53 in |
20 cm 7.87 in |
20 cm 7.87 in |
| Sweeps | 102 cm 40.16 in |
102 cm 40.16 in |
22 cm 8.66 in |
22 cm 8.66 in |