Rowing an Optimist

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richardabeattie

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Optimists have no rowlocks which seems a bit silly. Grateful for suggestions on how to fit some. I suppose I could glue and self tap screw "plasticrowlockwithbaseplates" to the sides. Alternatively I could drill down through both skins so that the bottom of a metal rowlock ends up outside the hull but that seems a bit drastic. Or just put a double ended paddle into the boat?
 
No - it's not a tender, it's my granddaughter's ocean going yacht for use within Fishguard inner harbour. But if the wind drops .... (Also noticed it has no engine room.)
 
I'm not really familiar with the gunwale detail of an oppy, but would something like this not work?

open-top-plastic-rowlocks.jpg


There are versions where the rowlock is captive but can be turned over via a slot so that it hangs down against the inside of the hull when not in use.

Alternatively, teach her to scull with one oar over the transom?

Pete
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
Kneel facing forward and use a single paddle, alternating sides as necessary.
Click to expand...

Optimisers normally seem to use praddles, thus

praddle_angle.jpg


which elegantly allow one to paddle with one hand while steering with the other. Quite tiring without mechanical advantage, though, and as supplied they have some very sharp edges. Ten minutes with a sanding block is well spent.
 
If using a single blade (canoe) paddle, it is perfectly possible to paddle on one side only and still go in a straight line. It's all a question of rolling the wrist. It came as a bit of a surprise to the instructor when I was doing my basic dinghy course, but then I had been canoeing for a few years !

Andy
 
JumbleDuck said:
Optimisers normally seem to use praddles, thus

praddle_angle.jpg


which elegantly allow one to paddle with one hand while steering with the other. Quite tiring without mechanical advantage, though, and as supplied they have some very sharp edges. Ten minutes with a sanding block is well spent.
Click to expand...

Precisely. That is the job for an Oppie. Oars and rowlocks far too unwieldy ..... and soooooo uncool grandpops
 
Andibs said:
If using a single blade (canoe) paddle, it is perfectly possible to paddle on one side only and still go in a straight line. It's all a question of rolling the wrist. It came as a bit of a surprise to the instructor when I was doing my basic dinghy course, but then I had been canoeing for a few years !
Click to expand...

Much the same, I imagine, as punting in straight line without ever wussing out and using the pole as a rudder. An essential skill if you punt overarm, as God intended.
 
No I would fit the best rowlock and seating arrangement you can to give the grand daughter the most power in rowing in case of need to row against wind or tide. There is no comparison of proper rowing to paddling. olewill
 
richardabeattie said:
Optimists have no rowlocks which seems a bit silly. Grateful for suggestions on how to fit some. I suppose I could glue and self tap screw "plasticrowlockwithbaseplates" to the sides. Alternatively I could drill down through both skins so that the bottom of a metal rowlock ends up outside the hull but that seems a bit drastic. Or just put a double ended paddle into the boat?
Click to expand...

There is no where to sit to row an Oppie

Reckon you will have to settle for a hydrofoil conversion instead




I have one of these. It has rowlocks a proper thwart and can be rowed

puffsail.jpg



http://www.shorebase.co.uk/boating/sailing/puffin/puffin.asp
 
William_H said:
No I would fit the best rowlock and seating arrangement you can to give the grand daughter the most power in rowing in case of need to row against wind or tide. There is no comparison of proper rowing to paddling. olewill
Click to expand...
But presumably grand-daughter will not be sailing an Optimist alone without other boats around (probably including other Oppies and a RIB or grandpa in a tender).
And oars etc won’t fit in properly. More importantly, the mods would be so embarrassing amongst other Oppie friends.

Get the praddle - light, simple and can be very effective with an enthusiastic praddler
 
It is possible for an adult to sit in and row an Oppie, we used one as a tender to get out to a holiday mooring in Salcombe for several years. Fit rowlocks to the gunwales, and acquire a rectangular plastic washing up bowl of a suitable size to fit between the thwart and the centre case, this is used as seat, it is not ideal but good progress can be made with one other person sitting on the transom. Best only in flat water!
 
I bought the 'wee man' his first oppie this year.

Its GRP, but certainly not from the current era.

I have no pictures of the gunwales by it has rowlock mounts and came with a very nice wooden seat that mounts on top of the centreboard case (three downward prongs (one either side of the case and one down the slot))

The mounts are part of the gunwale if I remember correctly.

Didn't come with oars. Guy who sold it said it rows well using the seat.

Not sure how practical it would be to row if the wind drops (need to sail out with oars etc). But I could see a use as a tender or or a windless day to still get on the water...
 
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