What's the difference between an oar and a paddle?

Question

What's the difference between an oar and a paddle?

Answer 1

An oar is used with a davit. A paddle is held freely in both hands!

Answer 2

Oars are usually attached onto the edges of the boat by some "cradle" into which they are set. They are usually longer in length than paddles, which are not attached to the boat

Answer 3

used interchangeably, normally a paddle is considered as

propulsion for a canoe, whereas the oar is for a boat (and

a pole for a raft or gondola)

Answer 4

one is shorter and one is longer plus paddle size

Answer 5

Oars are usually attached onto the edges of the boat by some "cradle" into which they are set. They are usually longer in length than paddles, which are not attached to the boat.

Answer 6

an oar is traditionally made from earthen materieals, i.e. iron ore, and hence its name.  paddles are traditionally wooden.

Answer 7

Oars are longer like 10+ feet.  paddle is shorter and can be double.  Oars will alawys be singles.  d**n!

Answer 8

I have serious doubts about oars being made of earthen

materials; all oars I have seen are wood.  However, oars

are usually longer than paddles and may have pins attached

to them in the middle for inserting into oarlocks mounted on

the side of a rowboat.  Oars are usually used in pairs, one

for each side of the boat, while a paddle has no pin and is

not put into a rowlock but held in the hands while used to

propel the boat, canoe, kayak, or whatever watercraft you

are paddling.  A paddle can also be used as a brake or a

rudder to help steer the craft.