Comment

Comment by Dave Tishler on August 28, 2010 at 10:38pm

Hi,

For me the difference for me is the wind. High sides can be effected by the wind a little more than a low sides. On a few of our local rivers the end of the run has the river spreading out and slowing down. Couple that with a slight head wind and you are almost pushing yourself down stream.

I over come it with a British Seagull in a bag on board to bring out if I have to push down stream. Then of course lots of white water could make higher sides desirable.

Just a layman's perspective.
dave

Dave

Comment by Randy Dersham on August 21, 2010 at 12:48pm

Welcome Steven,

A "normal" river boat has 24in sides at the oar locks. This is so two sides can be cut from scarfed plywood that is 48inches wide. The stem side is often close to 30 inches with 18inches on the transom side, also equaling 48 inches.

A low side boat is usually 22inches at the oarlock and proportionally a little lower at the stem and at the transom. The advantage of a low sided boat is that it stays close to the water and out of the wind. If you are going to row in slower wide rivers with no more than classII water then the low side boat is a good choice.

The standard side will do almost anything that a good rower can handle.

The high side is usually 26in at the oarlock and requires that you use quite a bit more plywood. The disadvantage is the cost of materials, the advantage is the higher freeboard for BIG rolling water of Cass IV or V.

The boat you asked Jason about is a our Dersham 17x52. It has 22in sides at the oarlock, a 52 inch bottom and 17ft along the handrail. The 17x52 from many different manufacturers I believe is the most popular size. Smaller often is not quite enough boat for three big men. Larger is a chore to row in rapid rivers if you want to hold fishing holes.