Sculling boats do not have coxswains except for an occasional training boat. In the early 1980's fiberglass oars began to replace the older, wooden blades that simultaneously reduced the weight and increased the durability. Some newer blades also include carbon fiber in their construction to further reduce the weight and increase the stiffness. These types of blades are called ultralights. Fortunately for coxswains, oars need very little maintenance.
Oars are relatively impervious to damage.
An oar may break occasionally due to a factory defect, but coxswains are more likely to break them by hitting something. Damage generally results in little likelihood of repair. The seats are a real pain. There is no doubt about this. They take a lot of action.