Chromed brass rowlocks

[Kelpie]

I'm building a plywood nesting tender just now, and will need a suitable set of rowlocks.
As the gunwhale is only about 1" wide I will need the edge-mounted type, rather than the ones that simply have a hole in the top.

Plastic is horrible and squeaky, and possibly a bit fragile. Although I suppose it is topsides-friendly.
I've lost too many rowlocks to the sea monster over the years so would certainly prefer a captive type. And yes I know you can just add a bit of string to them but it always ends up getting caught on something or jammed in the socket.
Clearly the money-no-object option is the £165 bronze Davey rowlocks. But I can get the same type of thing in chromed brass for about £30.

Chromed brass is very common for things like domestic taps and shower valves. How does it stand up in marine use? Will the chrome get worn off very quickly by the oars... and what will happen to the brass, will it turn green?

 

[Rappey]

Why go chrome when you can have 316 stainless for similar money ? Even galvanised ones last forever ..
Oarlock / Rowlock Dinghy Oar Support Stainless Steel 316 (pair) | eBay

 

[Kelpie]

Why go chrome when you can have 316 stainless for similar money ? Even galvanised ones last forever ..
Oarlock / Rowlock Dinghy Oar Support Stainless Steel 316 (pair) | eBay

I would prefer stainless, but I haven't found any in the captive style yet. Might keep looking.

And yes galvanised is also an option, I can get the right style for the same sort of price as the brass ones. But it seems a little utilitarian...

 

[Rappey]

I would say chromed would rub through, and its goes pitted after many years... Ive got steel ones which ive used for as long as i can remember and still no rust on them.

 

[Kelpie]

I would say chromed would rub through, and its goes pitted after many years... Ive got steel ones which ive used for as long as i can remember and still no rust on them.

Persuasive. I've used galvanised before as well on all my previous dinghies. I just wanted something slightly nicer after all the work I'm putting in to the new boat

 

[NormanS]

I would prefer stainless, but I haven't found any in the captive style yet. Might keep looking.

And yes galvanised is also an option, I can get the right style for the same sort of price as the brass ones. But it seems a little utilitarian...

Are rowlocks not utilitarian?

 

[Keith 66]

For rowlocks you want strong, after all you are going to hanging off them with a long wooden oar.
Plastic are useless, Brass ones often seem to be very small & those are for toy oars.
Galvanised side mounts are available but i havent seen captive ones in galv for donkeys years. Another alternative is Concept 2 sculling gates mounted on removeable pins so they can be used on traditional craft.

 

[howardclark]

I bought fittings from classic marine which fasten to the side and top. The fittings and row locks are bronze I think

 

[johnalison]

Chromed would certainly rub through, but this would only be a cosmetic problem. Whatever the base metal, it would stay clean if used regularly.

 

[duncan99210]

Can you not modify the gunwales to take the really traditional answer of thole pins? Cheap as chips and easy to replace.

 

[Bilgediver]

I'm building a plywood nesting tender just now, and will need a suitable set of rowlocks.
As the gunwhale is only about 1" wide I will need the edge-mounted type, rather than the ones that simply have a hole in the top.

The edge mounted ones may not be as strong as you think and the repairs problematic should you happen to rip one off by not taking sufficient care when rowing against a head wind. I still have the bruises received when I did this some years ago to a dinghy in the USA belonging to a well known forum member . There exists a beautiful cartoon of the event but cant risk life and limb publishing it

 

[rogerthebodger]

Here are some nice captive rowlock which are side mounted

And some side mounted with lanyard holes to tie to the boat but still allow retaining while rowing

 

[Kelpie]

I read a few accounts of brass rowlocks breaking on another forum , so decided they were best avoided.
The pattern I want is the captive ones as Roger Shaw posted above. But preferably without the £165 price tag.
Spotted a pair of very grotty looking galvanised ones on eBay for £15 so took a punt on them. Maybe I can tidy them up a bit, and if not I'll just pony up £70 for a new pair.

 

[Bilgediver]

Here are some nice captive rowlock which are side mounted

And some side mounted with lanyard holes to tie to the boat but still allow retaining while rowing

Here are some nice captive rowlock which are side mounted

And some side mounted with lanyard holes to tie to the boat but still allow retaining while rowing

The one I broke off was similar to the brass one but had longer flanges to carry the screws further from the edge. Even so you rely on just the strength of that wee bit of Gunnal edge so beware and DO NOT row with too much enthusiasm if using them.