Rowing boat: what is it, types, purpose

Fishing, a romantic swim on the pond or a sporting event - all these activities are united by rowing boats. They are watercraft that are propelled by the work of the oars. Rowing boats vary in purpose, design and hull material.

Rowing boat types

Vessels for fishing are usually flat-bottomed, up to 2.5 m long, capacity - no more than 4 people. The bottom is not rigid enough, so they fish sitting down. They are more suitable for quiet float fishing than for hunting predatory fish with a spinning rod. Small boats are also suitable for romantic water trips. For active fishing are suitable slane boats with reinforced bottom or inflatable watercraft with a special coating.

Rowing boats are distinguished by the type of hull material:

• metal - aluminum, which is not covered with rust even after years of use;
• plywood, impregnated with bakelite varnish and covered with bakelite film, does not absorb water and will not deform;
• PVC - non-toxic durable material, reinforced models are the most durable
• fiberglass - no welds, lightweight and durable. But it can be scratched or chipped from mechanical influence;
• plastic - gives the boat high running performance;
• Hipalon - combination of rubber and polymer. It's lightweight, safe and sturdy, but expensive.

Rowing boats differ in design. The bottom can be flat, keeled or combined. This affects stability and seaworthiness.

Sports rowing boats

The peculiarity of such boats is the ability to gain high speed due to the hydrodynamic design. You can accelerate up to 20 km/h. They are made of lightweight wood or plastic.

Types of sports rowing boats:

• Academic - There is a curved keel from start to stern. The paddles are fixed to brackets outside the boards. On the horizontal ribs are attached the skin and fasteners. The top of the aft part of the boat is draped with a waterproof material. These are low-hulled boats with a low hull, which increases their speed. There is room for a helmsman and for 2 or 3 passengers.
• Kayaks are narrow covered boats without rowing ropes. The stern and bow are closed. Operated by the tiller or the rocker, which one of the paddlers turns with his feet. There is no special place for the helmsman. Kayaks can be for one or more people. They row with two-blade oars.
• Canoe - an open vessel, the swimmer is on his knee, leaning on a special pillow. The deck is not provided. One canoe is rowed with one oar, putting it on one side or the other.
• Seaboats - are made of boards, fastened together overlapping. Two paddles are located in the board or behind it.

How to choose

The main criteria by which one chooses a rowing boat:

• Dimensions. The ratio of length to width is the key indicator. The smaller it is, the faster the boat, but the maneuverability is also low.
• Propulsion. If you need speed, and will be sailing in calm water, a long, narrow boat will do. In reeded water, or when you need to outrun the competition, you need a maneuverable boat of small length.
• The rowers - If the boat is for fishing or sailing for recreational purposes, it is desirable that it has rowers. Then the oars are secured and won't get lost. For sporting events boats without rowing barrels are used.

Any type of rowing boat is suitable for swimming in fresh water, except sea dinghies. For the sea, sea dinghies are best suited. However, polymer kayaks and other types of boats are also used in salt water.