Does anyone here row a Cornish Pilot Gig

[saltwater_gypsy]

I am designing a similar boat and would like to know more about the rowing position on a Cornish Gig as it seems pretty efficient. Here is my list of questions:
Height of seat?
Horizontal distance from seat to thole pins?
Horizontal distance from seat to footrests?
Length of the oars?
Distance from grip to thole pin?

Exact dimensions are not necessary, guesstimates will do.
Any other input about the ideal rowing position would be interesting.
Thanks for the nice picture whoever took it!!

 

[sarabande]

rowing skiff / gig designs here

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Rowskiffs.htm

 

[FWB]

Try Cadgwith Pilot Gig Club

 

[pande]

You could PM "Scillypete". /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[KenMcCulloch]

When I was at the BBA in Lyme Regis last summer, one of the instructors Gail McGarva had just finished building one. I'm sure if you contact her she would be glad to help.

 

[mikefleetwood]

I would second Dylan's reference, as I'm a member!

Rough answers to questions:
Height of seat? A little less than 1 foot, I think
Horizontal distance from seat to thole pins? About arms length(!)
Horizontal distance from seat to footrests? Usually adjustable - remember, the seat doesn't slide so think of the length of your leg, staight.
Length of the oars? About 12-15 feet I think. They vary along the length of the boat - longer at the ends, shorter in the middle, so the blades line up.
Distance from grip to thole pin? Again, varies a bit, but about half boat width.

By the way, not a single thole pin - the oar is between two pins, generally hardwood towards the bow and softwood to the stern (intended to break before the boat does, if you "catch a crab"!).

Hope this helps a little.

The tourist shops sell a "plan" of a Cornish Pilot Gig. Not intended to build from, but probably all the answers you need.

By the way, the "Cornish Pilot Gig", as raced, is a fixed design - all boats being supposedly identical in construction, dimensions and materials.

 

[FWB]

Hi mikef2, my boat's up the coast in Mylor.
Just wondering if you have seen this.... Video Nation ?
Ralph Bird gave a talk at MYC a couple of years ago, very interesting.
Unfortunately I dont think the link can be seen abroad, hope I'm wrong.

 

[fishermantwo]

There is an interesting thread running on this site for some time. Good reading and there are links to sites giving the ideal measurements you require.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/designing-fast-rowboat-14250.html

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Thanks for the useful input.
I also found some typical dimensions for a good rowing position here:
http://rowingforpleasure.blogspot.com/2009/01/john-welsford-on-crusing-ro