Steve, You make a good point regarding the issue of leverage. With the oarlocks on the coaming I needed 10 ' oars to reach the water and yes I had a minimal amount of leverage, having about 2 1/2' of oar inboard. Cutting holes for oarports seems problematic, but some sort of outrigger arm makes sense to me. I'll give that some thought. From my experience I think that would help a lot. Rick
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 08:41:11 -0800 From: "Steve R." <stever707@mail.saabnet.com> Subject: M_Boats: re: M15: Rowing; Worst conditions To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <20071202084111.8E6AAC06@resin18.mta.everyone.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Hi Harry,
Welcome to the group.
You raise some interesting points for an off season discussion.
I have been pondering a post I read here (I think) recently about the difficulty of using a single oar as an Oriental yuloh. I believe the geometry is wrong for efficient use of oars with our small boats. Our boats have a narrow beam, short cockpit and high freeboard. If you place an oarlock on the top of the coaming or transom, you have poor leverage for seated rowing or use of a yuloh (yulohing?). Some people stand up, which increases the angle of the blade in the water, and improves the leverage situation by allowing use of a shorter oar. I would be comfortable standing in calm water, but not in extreme conditions.
Soâ?¦if I HAD to use an oar I would think about installing oar ports. The ports would be located about waist high along the sides if I wanted to row or in the transom for a yuloh. Bolger has used oar ports as did the Dovekie. In extreme weather the ports could also function as cockpit scuppers or be closed off if necessary. Ports would also have the advantage of allowing the use of shorter oars.
Or..I would consider using some sort of an arm that would locate the oar lock several feet outboard. The leverage situation would be improved, although longer oars would be needed. Modern racing shells often have oar locks mounted outboard.
And..I would give a lot of thought to a sliding seat with a pivoting brace for the feet.
steve
Steve R. M-15 #119 Lexington, KY