Thread: Wood outriggers for rowboat

Have you ever rowed something like bolgers glouchester light dory (sometimes called the gouchester gull) ? They are only about 2' wide on the waterline and move quite nicely. No outriggers required....

I see no reason why it couldn't be stretched to 20' if that's what you wanted...

Or see gem watercraft's BHC.

Lots of people have put outriggers on canoes.

I'm not sure I understand what your tryint to achieve ? This isn't meant as an attack of any sort, I am just a bit confused ?

I did think about that , but, since I like distance rowing, in an open water boat, I needed sliding seats, with 10 ft oars. The bolger is made for fixed seat rowing with 7 ft oars, and with 2 people, I have heard that it throws the balance off. In addition, my boat is 40 at the beam, his is 48. My ribs, made from 1x4's (3/4 x 1 1/2) are just right to attach angled blocks for the feet to push against.


My outriggers take me out to the 48 or perhaps beyond. that enables me to have a narrower boat that is perhaps cuts thru the water more effectively.

Mr. Storer has mentioned the expense of drop in metal units for outriggers. Both expensive, and not wood. Here, I have presented two easy to make, all wood versions, replaceable by the owner if any piece gets worn. On my first boat, they are permanently mounted, and look cool, but makes the boat non car toppable. the second is removable for car topping.

Both use Thole pins to lash the oars to and serve as rotation points, and both allow for an oar to be released while underway and have the oars just freely trail beside the boat as you go along.

If anyone is interested, I can post close up pics of any part.

Ok. I guess I didn't get exactly what you were trying to do.

The gull rows fine with one, in fact some people think it's a better boat solo. You could adapt it for sliding seat and longer oars, but it's horses for...

Have fun!

Howdy,

In the past I have suggested the drop in units because there are so many potential geometries possible, many of them not so good without carefully working through the possibilities.

However in recent years competition sculls have seen a huge change in the design of outriggers, which may be much simpler to organise than the older style.

This is off the Kaschper Competition Sculls page. But this type are become ubiquitous rather than the older style braced small diameter tubing type that had to be designed for every new boat because in differences of hull flare, width, tilt height.



This type reduces the variable of setup and one type of arm can fit many types of boat.

Best wishes
Michael

T wing riggers look really cool. Unfortunately, I am but one of a number of poor boatbuilders. The average price for those fancy units is approx. $270 US, but my simple wood outriggers can be made for about $5 dollars., which seems in line with the Storer boat plans that I admire so much. The Ausies seem so far ahead of us americans in wood boat building , and I particularly like Micheal Storer's approach towards not overusing fiberglass and not making the boat too heavy.

These outriggers that I have presented gets the rower out on the water for a cheap price, but are very effective. I rowed last night for two hours.


Tom

Congrats on a solution that allows for 1 or 2 rowers in a single rig.
For cheap.

I have to admit, when I saw the term "outriggers", I thought of floats (trainer wheels...)

cheers
AJ

Hi Tom,
Agree about the price of the manufactured ones above.

But I think the structure is really nice. Not that hard to do in wood.

Years ago Murray Isles had similar ones in wood even before the first manufactured ones appeared.

Best wishes
Michael

Kaschper Competition Sculls page shows outriggers made of aluminum , I guess. I don't think I could make those out of wood. and I can't find any pics from the old Isledesigns pages. I sure would be interested in any pictures. There just isn't much out there for external outriggers especially wood ones. I would like to compile a series of pictures of any and all that the home builder could use to help make a more narrow boat, yet retain the ability to use really long oars.