Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
OARLOCK & SEAT PLACEMENT
I am building a double ender with transom 16'x48"+-. i will be fishing with 0, 1, or 2 other people in the boat. I have never rowed a driftboat in my life. i am thinking that i am going to make the rowers seat 16" above the plywood bottom and adjustable, the front seat 12" above the plywood bottom and adjustable. where do i place the oarlocks? i will place muliple oarlock locations (4) i think so i can trim the boat properly. is there a recomended distance from the front of the seat to the center of the oarlocks. any advice would be great.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robb Grubb on
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Peter, Sounds like you are on the right track, suggestions would be:
Rowers Seat: 16" like you said, adjustable is nice so you can move it forward if you have a rear passenger, too many people let their transom (rear) plow in the water turning your rowing experience into feeling like you are plowing mud with a road grader. Be sure to design a secure adjusting system for the seat so it does not slide on you at the most in-opportune time.
Front Passenger Seat: 12" seems a little low, just make sure you don't put them above your rowers line of sight, same securing issue as the rowers seat.
Oarlock Placement: Most I hear on this issue is about 10" in front of the seat, it really depends on your body build and preference. Having 4 different slots like you are planning is a great idea. Oarlock height from your seat is also important, making sure your oars are not slapping your knees (knee slapper: seat being too high or ape hangars: seat being too low relative to the oarlocks) while in a natural rowing position.
Good luck and have fun! A 16x48 is a great boat.
Cheers,
Robb Grubb
www.RiverTraining.net
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