Open Oarlocks vs. Pins & Clips is an age old argument. Rubber Stop or molded oar sleeve has been debated many times also. First let me say Open Oar Locks are not horns and Pins and Clips are not training wheels. It is nothing more than a preference. The rubber doughnut keeps the oar lock from slipping on to oar shaft allowing the oar to feather or shift in. The doughnut slips over a rope wrap or plastic sleeve. Pin and Clips, the clip locks to pin keeping the oar shaft in one place. Very good option for beginners who tend to miss strokes. We also recommend an Oar Tether just in case your oar gets loose. The Oar Right is a good alternative to the Pin and Clip, allowing for the ability to ship the oar. Now the new convertible Oar-Right.

There are reasons for using both methods.

• Drift boaters want quiet when they row so they wrap and rubber stopped oars. It also allows them to feather their oars, very important when back bouncing or rowing in the wind.
• A great number of big water boaters use Pin and Clips. So they never miss a stroke.
• Inflatable Rafters use both.
• Switching between methods is very hard on your wrists.
• People with hand injuries will use Pin and Clips.

We hope the chart with pictures below will help you make the decision that is right for you. This is as a Comparison Chart, not to favor one system over the other.