Rowlock Position?

Ubergeekian

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My Hunter 490 restoration has got to "auxiliary power", so I need to fit a pair of rowlocks. I've got a nice comfy place to sit in front of (well, behind, but you know what I mean) the companionway and the rowlocks will be mounted about 6" higher on the cockpit coamings. But how far aft of the edge of the seat? Any advice gratefully received.
 

sarabande

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would it be worth considering a rowlock mounted on the transom so that you can use a longer oar in a figure of 8 as a scull, and face forwards at the same time ?

None of this wasted energy bringing a normal oar back through the air ready for the next stroke !
 

Keith 66

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Anywhere fron 12" to 15" behind the aft edge of the seat for a single sweep oar, but it will depend also on what the freebooard is, the beam & the length of the oars.
It might be possible to mount the rowlocks in the top of the sheet winches.
A standard sweep rowing oar is around 12' 6" long or more, wooden whaler oars up to 16ft or more. As a rough guide 2 1/2 times the beam is a good starting point for oar length if using a pair. Bit of a black art i am afraid!
 

William_H

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Rowlock position

I would have thought much depends on how big you are. You need to lean well forward with the handles of the oars before putting the ends in the water. The tips of the oars need to be well forward to give you a long stroke. Likewise when the handles get up to your chest the rowlocks need to be such that the oar tip is well aft with a symetrical movement through the water.
Just sit yourself in position and get someone to support the oar in the rowlock position. Go through the stroke and I think the best rowlock position will become apparent.

Consider also the height of the rowlock ie high enough to clear the gunwhale but not so high as to make a steep angle to the water and so you hands too high. Also consider outboard rowlocks inboard rowlocks or have them right on the gunwhale. It will all be a compromise but will be obvious by trying. good luck olewill
 

Ubergeekian

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would it be worth considering a rowlock mounted on the transom so that you can use a longer oar in a figure of 8 as a scull, and face forwards at the same time ?

None of this wasted energy bringing a normal oar back through the air ready for the next stroke !

The previous owner removed rowlocks from the coamings (I'm not at all sure they were in the right place, by the way) to fit one for sculling. However, neat though that would be for a short trip through an anchorage, I want to be able to propel the boat for the odd mile or two if I have to, and I think rowing has to be the answer. Thanks for the tip, though, and I'll certainly consider fitting a sculling rowlock as well.
 

Ubergeekian

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I would have thought much depends on how big you are. You need to lean well forward with the handles of the oars before putting the ends in the water. The tips of the oars need to be well forward to give you a long stroke. Likewise when the handles get up to your chest the rowlocks need to be such that the oar tip is well aft with a symetrical movement through the water.
Just sit yourself in position and get someone to support the oar in the rowlock position. Go through the stroke and I think the best rowlock position will become apparent.
Sound advice, thanks. I'll do just that.
 
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