Single scull commute, is this a daft idea?

[Aja]

Check before you build anything that they are not going to drain any of the stretches for maintenance!!!

Regards
Donald

 

[Quandary]

Check before you build anything that they are not going to drain any of the stretches for maintenance!!!

Regards
Donald

Unfortunately all the lock repairs scheduled for this winter have already been cancelled, again, British Waterways (who can still afford to pay their top three executives just under a £million a year) do not have sufficient funds to carry out the work that they have scheduled for at least the last three winters. However they are still going ahead with a new shower block at Crinan but that is funded by 'Sail West' which is administered by Donegal County Council.

 

[Mrs FG]

Wouldn't the locks be a pain?
If you want to go at cycling speed, why not get a bicycle?

 

[Searush]

Wouldn't the locks be a pain?
If you want to go at cycling speed, why not get a bicycle?

It might be helpful for you to read the thread before asking such questions.

1/ he lives at lock 4 & boat is a lock 5 (or vice versa)

2/ he has a bike which he currently uses.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

You can build a "proper" strip plank rowing skiff that will be an achievement to build, a pleasure to row , a joy to look at and can also carry tools and sandwiches and a passenger.... what more could you want!!!

http://www.jordanboats.co.uk/JB/iain_oughtred.htm

Scottish Coastal Rowing is the next "big thing" so get in training:
http://scottishcoastalrowing.org/

 

[Mrs FG]

It might be helpful for you to read the thread before asking such questions.

1/ he lives at lock 4 & boat is a lock 5 (or vice versa)

2/ he has a bike which he currently uses.

Oh yes, I forgot he moves it in winter.
And when I sailed with him, we went in the car.

Still think the bike would be easier, though.

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

re skiff

asked about skiff in the boatyard.

Apparently its owned by a local who uses it to row round the moorings on nice days.

Sadly its not for sale

Hope you find something - seems like a good way to get on the water in winter.

 

[Quandary]

Thank you

Thank Euan, I appreciate your effort.
It was probably too good to be true to find one so close.

 

[PDS]

Combine both rowing and cycling

My boat is wintered ashore about 3 or 4 miles along the Crinan canal from where I live. The lift out period is longer than I would like but the boatyard craning date is decided by the majority of customers. During the long winter lay up I will get the old bike out and cycle along the towpath to tinker at it, when I am feeling lazy I use the car. I fancy the idea of buying (or building from cedar strip) a basic single scull for this journey, however the only rowing I ever do is in an Avon Redcrest.
Is my image of skimming along the canal happily on a crisp winter morning at cycling speed misplaced, am I likely to be too knackered when I get to the boat to do any thing?
Can old, non-competitive, but usable sculls be aquired for a few hundred quid, (and sold on again if I am not up to it)?
Anyone who knows about rowing to advise me to try it or to wise up?

How about a rowingbike? Definitely as fast as a bike (faster than most) and you get the benefits of the rowing action (upper body exercise and a more relaxed, less frenetic movement) and you get to see where you're going.

 

[PDS]

Strip plank rowing scull

My boat is wintered ashore about 3 or 4 miles along the Crinan canal from where I live. The lift out period is longer than I would like but the boatyard craning date is decided by the majority of customers. During the long winter lay up I will get the old bike out and cycle along the towpath to tinker at it, when I am feeling lazy I use the car. I fancy the idea of buying (or building from cedar strip) a basic single scull for this journey, however the only rowing I ever do is in an Avon Redcrest.
Is my image of skimming along the canal happily on a crisp winter morning at cycling speed misplaced, am I likely to be too knackered when I get to the boat to do any thing?
Can old, non-competitive, but usable sculls be aquired for a few hundred quid, (and sold on again if I am not up to it)?
Anyone who knows about rowing to advise me to try it or to wise up?

Here's a nice one you could make:
http://www.newfound.com/liz.htm

 

[Searush]

PDS,

I think you'll find that Quandary did indeed "wise up".

 

[Quandary]

PDS,

I think you'll find that Quandary did indeed "wise up".

Yes, indeed; which was just as well because the canal was frozen over for a good part of last winter, instead I have acquired a better, faster bike though the plywood skiff above looks very tempting.