sculling sailboat

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Sculling sailboats?

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So, I've got a question, and an anecdote. I've heard stories of sailboats, even over 35 feet, being sculled into ports, without motor. Most of these stories come from either Bermuda or China, consequently (and seem dated). In fact, in China there is a saying "a scull equals 3 oars", though this is beside the point... Has anyone ever seen this done? I'm sure it's not easy, but it seems invaluable, especially if you're minus the iron jib. So basically my question is whether this is a practical thing to do for a moderate/heavy displacement 27 foot boat, full keel with cutaway for-foot, attached rudder, or any boat for that matter. That and I basically want to see what everyone thinks of this idea, because if you can still maneuver the boat it seems pretty ideal. Thanks.  

Yes, it can be done. But you need a fairly long oar to do it with and a set of thole pins or some other notch for the oar on the transom of the boat.  

A dockmate does it quite often, first time I offered him my dinghy engine and found out he does it for recreation, as Dog said he uses a very long oar and a couple thole pins. I'm not sure what his boat was when first built but it is now a 27' junk rigged ketch with a very large unstayed wooden mainmast. I swear that my description of this boat is accurate.  

I've sculled both of my boats with the rudder at various times. It is very slow but it works.  

There's a group of guys out in Bellingham WA call the Oar Club. They sail boats of all types (from a J30 to a Atkin double ender) sans engine and use sweeps and sculling oars for propulsion when there is no wind. The guy who started the group, Jerome Fitzgerald, wrote a great book called "The Purpose of Sailing" in which he details just how efficiently one can handle a boat with no engine. If you're interested in this stuff it's definitely a worthy read. Personally, I'm currently looking into a sculling or for my engineless Triton.  

redstripesailor said: There's a group of guys out in Bellingham WA call the Oar Club. . Click to expand...

Here is a article on sculling. Check it out : Sculling One  

When I was a teenager, our family spent summer vacations in an old farm house on Gwynn's Island, VA, on the Chesapeake Bay. We were adopted by a local waterman by the name of Fossie Smith. He taught me a lot about life on the Bay. One of the things he did was to take the time to teach me how to scull an 18' crab skiff. It's an absolutely Zen way to propel a small boat. You have to do it to understand that.  

Absolutely. Sadly not many of us have 18' crab boats. A mate of ours has an absolutely lovely 'peapod'. I've never sculled her but she is a joy to row. To get the most out of sculling (or rowing for that matter) something better than the average yacht tender is required. Its most unfortunate that for most of us these days our tenders are rubbish when it comes to rowing.  

Here is a link for the Pardey discussion: The Self-Sufficient Sailor - Google Book Search  

Twice now the stupid air pump that runs on dead dinosaurs quit. Both times, I was in the harbor with no wind. Stands to reason, that's the only place I'd run the engine anyway. Day before yesterday, there was not a breath of wind near the harbor, and the bucket of demented parts quit with me 600 feet from the slip. So I sculled home. Sculling involves moving the tiller back and forth like a fish moves a fin. You move it rapidly in one direction, then slowly in the opposite – just like you would move your arms while swimming under water. You change course by moving the tiller only from the center to the opposite side in which you desire to turn. I enjoyed moving along slowly, propelling myself with the tiller. It works, but it's slow. It took me over an hour to get to the mouth of the harbor. I'm not complaining. I believe this technique is possible on a boat having a wheel instead of a tiller – but considering most boats with wheels require more than a full revolution of the wheel to move the rudder through a full side-to-side deflection, the technique would rapidly exhaust anyone using it. Chalk up another advantage of tillers over wheels. So once I was in the harbor channel, all these boats passed me. While passing, one skipper asked: "Are you aground?" I said, no, I'm just sculling back to my slip. He looked at me as if I had grown two heads. A sailboat came along (under power) and asked if I needed a tow. I said: "No. Do you?" I then laughed and thanked him, and explained that I was moving along fine by sculling. He said: "Doing what?" I repeated my explanation. He said: "Don't you know that's impossible without a special mount for a long oar?" And I said: "Gee, I wish you'd told me that before I'd sculled my boat this far." I got it all the way into the harbor and into my slip. The same gentleman was standing on the neighboring dock watching me round the corner, turn 90 degrees right, line up with the slip, and propel my boat ever-so-slowly into its berth. He was all bug-eyed at my violation of the laws of physics. Good thing there weren't any physics cops to catch me. I sail a Pearson Ariel. It's 25 feet 7 inches overall, and 3,500 pounds gross. For sculling, I believe that size doesn't matter, but patience does. Your actual mileage may vary.  

patrickbryant said: Twice now the stupid air pump that runs on dead dinosaurs quit. Both times, I was in the harbor with no wind. Stands to reason, that's the only place I'd run the engine anyway. Day before yesterday, there was not a breath of wind near the harbor, and the bucket of demented parts quit with me 600 feet from the slip. So I sculled home. Sculling involves moving the tiller back and forth like a fish moves a fin. You move it rapidly in one direction, then slowly in the opposite - just like you would move your arms while swimming under water. You change course by moving the tiller only from the center to the opposite side in which you desire to turn. I enjoyed moving along slowly, propelling myself with the tiller. It works, but it's slow. It took me over an hour to get to the mouth of the harbor. I'm not complaining. I believe this technique is possible on a boat having a wheel instead of a tiller - but considering most boats with wheels require more than a full revolution of the wheel to move the rudder through a full side-to-side deflection, the technique would rapidly exhaust anyone using it. Chalk up another advantage of tillers over wheels. So once I was in the harbor channel, all these boats passed me. While passing, one skipper asked: "Are you aground?" I said, no, I'm just sculling back to my slip. He looked at me as if I had grown two heads. A sailboat came along (under power) and asked if I needed a tow. I said: "No. Do you?" I then laughed and thanked him, and explained that I was moving along fine by sculling. He said: "Doing what?" I repeated my explanation. He said: "Don't you know that's impossible without a special mount for a long oar?" And I said: "Gee, I wish you'd told me that before I'd sculled my boat this far." I got it all the way into the harbor and into my slip. The same gentleman was standing on the neighboring dock watching me round the corner, turn 90 degrees right, line up with the slip, and propel my boat ever-so-slowly into its berth. He was all bug-eyed at my violation of the laws of physics. Good thing there weren't any physics cops to catch me. I sail a Pearson Ariel. It's 25 feet 7 inches overall, and 3,500 pounds gross. For sculling, I believe that size doesn't matter, but patience does. Your actual mileage may vary. Click to expand...

Atom Voyages | Improvement Projects, Page 3 It's called a Yuloh in China.  

Of course, sculling with the rudder tends to be possible only in fairly benign conditions....any sort of contrary current or wind and you're toast.  

I've never sculled. I did row my previous two boats (20', one ton; 26', four tons) when necessary. Usually I just waited for a breeze. Rowing them wasn't hard, there was no point in trying to go fast, a steady stroke yielded half a knot. I made a long oar from a piece of spruce staging plank.  

I used to row my Folkboat, which did not have an engine. I had a single long sweep which had a loop of line that I tossed over a winch and rowed facing forward. Once up to speed it was pretty easy to keep moving. I would tie the helm slightly over and then varied the speed of my stroke to hold a course. I have tried sculling bigger boats on a number of occasions and its not that efficient without a properly shaped oar, and I found it hard on the wrists having to rotate the blade under load. I would not suggest sculling a boat with its rudder as a regular means of transport since it wears out the pindles and gudgeons or the rudder post prematurely. Jeff  

Another way to do it is to fix the rudder amidships and rool the boat from side to side. It works on racing dinghys  

I'll have to try that, but... only first in a very private setting. Given the amount of attention I got from other boaters by just moving the tiller back and forth to move along, I suspect that their seeing me running repeatedly back and forth across the deck from one beam to the other might get me locked up for psychiatric observation. I've found sculling with the rudder to also be a good way to rescue my boat when she's caught in irons - while keeping the sailing pure of noisy smelly beasts with propellers.  

I've sculled my 21 foot trailer sailer boat. On one trip I found I'd left the rudder home and used the scull oar as a repalcement. It worked. For my 29 ft Cal, I have 10 ft oars and can row it. They need to be at least that log to reach the water. I think the Pardeys just rowed with a single oar with thier first boat. worked fine and was a simple arrangement  

While it is a very neat way to move a boat about for short distances, it is incredibly tiring to move a big boat at any speed or for any real distance. As Jeff mentioned, it can be hard on the wrists. The real advantage to me is that you can see where you are going and you can fit in between docks barely wider than your boat. Personally, I prefer to row than to scull a boat. I can make the boat go much faster and it is much more pleasant. I leave sculling for the tight quarters maneuvering (be careful, some sculling setups make it hard to stop or go backwards while it is easy with others, it all depends on how much you can pivot the oar).  

Klem (or other rowers of smallish sailboats..) How do you set up the boat for rowing? I can't quite work out what you do for oar locks or where one would sit. Can you explain? I used to scull home all the time in my Beetle Cat... it had one of those huge barn door rudders. Chris  

How you set it up is really a function of the boat. The critical dimensions in it are the seat height, oarlock height, distance between oarlocks and oar length. Things like the fore and aft placement of the seat and oarlocks do matter but are not as important. Usually the first thing to figure out is where you can put oarlocks. If you have a cockpit coaming, it is usually an easy place to bolt on a set. I have also seen people who make a standoff block that bolts through the deck and has an oarlock on it. For boats that don't plan to row a lot, you can wrap a line around the oar and the jib winches (assuming you have them) and it works okay. Next, you need to figure out where you can sit. Usually a removable seat across the cockpit seats or on top of the centerboard trunk works best. If it isn't fastened down, this will allow you to play around with fore and aft position. The height is important and easiest to figure out sitting in the boat with the oars in the oarlocks. You want the oar handle to be somewhere around shoulder height with the blade just fully buried. If you always row in calm water, you can have it a bit lower but if you row in rough water, you need to keep it high so that the blades don't hit the waves on the recovery. I hope that this helps.  

Exactly.  

I have an engineless 8 ton 29ft gaffrigged cutter. I converted my 5 meter long sweep to a 6 meter long yuloh after learning it was better for my boat. It works like a charm. Anyone want to know the process, write me. It was a long research, but well worth it. Sweeps are good for lighter boats, and yulohs are better for heavier boats. Jeff H is right about it being hard on your wrists, after a few sessions, Popeye comes to mind. A well built and rigged yuloh is easy enough for a 15 year old to use. Engineless sailing requires a different mindset. The rules of nature make you take on a whole new perspective towards it.  

Here is a page on how to make the oar locks and rowing a bigger full keel boat A Pearson Ariel Page And here's one on making a yuloh for any boat $10 Yuloh - Cheap introduction to "scientific sculling."  

The 10usd page has pretty good info. I found that one when I made my yuloh. If you follow his advice, I'd add a sacrificial block with drilled out holes lashed to the pivot spot on the oar. If you don't, the hole in the oar will wear out, then you have to build a new oar. The sacrificial block is easier to replace. Cheers  

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Shaw and Tenney - Maine Crafted Since 1858

Sculling Oars for Propelling All Sizes of Boats

Sculling with a single oar off the transom is the ancient art of propelling a vessel with a figure 8 or "falling leaf" motion. A proficient sculler can easily move large vessels efficiently, bring them to a stop, and even sculling them backwards! There are many instructional videos and articles available online to learn more about the proper technique.

Shaw & Tenney makes all types of oars including conventional flat blade oars up to 21'. One of the more common uses of our long oars is for sculling sailboats, especially when navigating in and out of the harbor. Beyond sculling oars for sailboats we also make them for commercial fishing vessels operated in shallow waters, gunning floats, and dinghies. Almost any boat can be sculled as long as it can be set up for it.

Sculling offers many advantages to traditional oars (rowing) including the ability to move about in tight anchorages, particularly in smaller boats. Looking for a propulsion method that is environmentally friendly, sustainable and not to mention quieter than a motor, than rigging up a sculling oar to your boat may just be the perfect option.

Equipping Larger Boats for Sculling

The first step in equipping your larger boat for sculling is to properly size the oar. We recommend sizing the oar so it can be used off the transom to scull as well as to row on either side of the boat. This provides three alternate methods of propulsion to select based on the wind and sea conditions.

Now to the sizing formula:

• To size the oar stand in the location you will be sculling from in the cockpit.
• Holding a long straight object to simulate the oar (2x4, boathook, etc.) in your dominant hand about chest height, let it protrude off the transom parallel to the keel of the boat.
• Measure the length from your hand to where it touches the water to determine the correct shaft length.
• Repeat the measurement off the side of the boat in a position where you can take one step forward and one back simulating rowing. When using this technique you can steer with the rudder or wheel.
• If the boat is on the hard have someone visually determine the length in relation to the waterline on the hull.

Once the shaft length is determined the blade length is added to determine the overall length of the oar. For larger oars, from 10' – 21' in overall length, blades range from 42" to 60".

The second, and very important step, is to ensure you have a good location to stow the oar aboard. It may be necessary to reduce the overall length in some cases. Typical locations are attached to stanchions and /or lifelines (be careful of you rigging technique, they can work loose) and on the cabin top. Sometimes affixing the oar to a stay or shroud is an option also.

Finally we need to determine how the oar connects with your vessel. Many smaller boats will have a traditional sculling notch in the transom typically not found on larger sailboats. If not equipped with a sculling notch we recommend using a conventional oar socket and horn oarlock. The type of oar socket, top mount, side mount, or angle mount will be determined by how it will be installed on your boat. The most common installation is the angle mount or side mount socket, oftentimes requiring adding a wooden block on fiberglass vessels. An interesting method for the side rowing position is to modify an oar socket to mount on a winch in place of the crank handle. You can view the various oar sockets and oarlocks we offer on our Oar Hardware & Accessories page.

Sculling Smaller Boats

Smaller boats are allot of fun to scull too. We offer our unique Shaw & Tenney 7'-10" sculling oar which is ideal for most dinghies and smaller boats. Originally designed for the Seacoast Gunning Float and duck hunting, it has an offset, curvilinear blade. Made from a solid piece of native Maine 8/4 ash, it has a superb flex too. It can be custom made in lengths up to 14' also. Please visit our Sculling, Specialty and Large Oars page to learn more about our sculling and specialty oars.

Sculling Tradition at Shaw & Tenney

Creating oars for sculling is a big part of the Shaw & Tenney DNA and we are always proud when a customer tells us that they thought they we pretty proficient scullers… but once the tried our S&T sculling oar they were amazed at how much better they became!

We are quite proud that a customer chose a Shaw & Tenney 17' clear spruce flat blade as their only auxiliary propulsion when circumnavigating the World.

We also make a reproduction of the traditional Merrymeeting Bay sculling oar in spruce and the Whitney sculling oar in ash.

We have helped our customers with many, many sculling applications and installations over the years. Please don't hesitate to contact us regarding your specific application, we are always glad to help! A photo of your boat always helps too!

Our S&T quote: "Single oar sculling: How to row with one oar and not go in circles!"

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How to Size Your Oars

To determine the correct length oar for your boat measure the distance between the port and starboard oar sockets. Then apply the Shaw and Tenney oar length formula to determine the oar length that will provide the correct 7:18 leverage ratio. This length will provide an oar where 7/25 the length is inboard of the oarlocks and 18/25 of the oar is outboard of the oarlocks. It is the ideal ratio to row almost all boats. Sized correctly, when rowing your hands will be 1 to 3 inches apart and you will be pulling directly towards your abdomen. If you are popping out of your oarlocks when rowing your oars are far too short. If you prefer an overlapping grip, add 6” to the calculated oar length. If you have more than one rowing station in your boat, measure both. Typically they will require two different length oars which is fine if you’re going to be rowing tandem and need two sets. Otherwise you’ll need to compromise the correct length to work properly in both stations. If you are rowing more than 75% in one station size the oar to that length. As always feel free to call us and were happy to help you select the correct oar length and blade style for your boat.

The Original Shaw & Tenney Oar Length Formula

To help our customers size their oars correctly, we’ve been using the same formula since 1858: Measure the distance between the center of the port and starboard oar sockets, which hold the oar locks on each gunnel. This is called the “span” between the oarlocks. Divide the span by 2, and then add 2 to this number. The result is called the “inboard loom length” of the oar. Multiply the loom length by 25, and then divide that number by 7. The result is the proper oar length in inches. Round up or down to the closest 6” increment.

How to Size Your Paddle

For traditional wooden paddles the ideal length for the Stern paddler is the bridge of your nose or 6 inches less than your height. For the bow paddler the paddle reaching the cleft of your chin or 9 inches less than your height is correct.

For our Racine paddle if you are over 5’6” tall select the 63-1/2” length and the shorter paddle if you are under5’-6”tall.

When paddling solo we typically recommend a bow length paddle. For Canadian style solo most paddlers prefer an even shorter paddle.

For paddling canoes when standing (yes our mother let us do this) a 69 inch or 72 inch paddle is usually about right.

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Rowing Stronger

Rowing stronger, faster, healthier, and longer.

Strength Training for Sculling

Strength training for sculling necessitates an understanding of what makes sculling different from sweep rowing and erging, knowledge of the different types of scullers, and management of the different physiological demands between different boat classes and racing priorities. In this article, I will cover some relevant research for scullers, identify a few adjustments that I make specifically for scullers versus other rowers, and discuss how plans change for scullers of different types and priorities.

I also presented on this topic via the Craftsbury Sculling Center Free Weekly Webinar series on August 12th, 2020. This webinar is available for free linked at the end of this article.

Key Points: Strength training for sculling is mostly the same in the lower body as those who erg or sweep row. However, the action around the rib cage and shoulders is very different between the three modalities, and top athletes in each discipline will have specific strengths and techniques to achieve maximum performance. Exercise variations of the squat, hinge, and pulling categories train the relevant muscles for stroke power and performance. We can also use strength training to teach and reinforce specific muscular skills for sculling performance. Finally, we use other exercises to develop muscles and movements neglected by rowing alone, including upper body pushing, lateral, rotational, and shoulder external rotation exercises.

Table of Contents:

• Needs Analysis of Sculling

Biomechanical Differences of Sculling

Key performance features.

• Injury Risks
• Individual Needs

What If You Don’t Race?

Strength training for sculling exercises.

• Strength Training for Sculling Programming
• Wrap Up and Free Webinar

Needs Analysis for Sculling Performance

A solid, intentional strength training plan begins with a needs analysis. What are the key performance features? What is the athlete already doing in sport training? What movements are emphasized or neglected by sport training? What are the injury risks? What individual factors do we need to consider for each athlete or broader population of athletes?

The main difference for sculling versus sweep rowing and erging is the action around the shoulder and ribcage at the catch. Scullers have two oars and a very wide handle width at the catch with no torso rotation. Rowers on the erg have a comparatively narrow handle and a much more straight forward shoulder reach with no rotational component. Sweep rowers have a great amount of torso and shoulder rotation, but only in one direction toward their rigger. From the hips down, these movements are all quite similar. Looking at the rowers from the side, we might not think there’s a great difference. The view from the front shows a different picture, with very different actions at the shoulder and ribcage. These different dynamics create very different strength and movement needs for the front end (ie. early drive phase) of the stroke.

There are myriad variables involved in calculating the weight or force of a stroke. Rowing biomechanics experts generally agree that the per-stroke load for scullers is greater than that of sweep rowers. The sculler is using two oars versus the sweep rower’s one. The surface area of a sculling blade is smaller, but two sculling blades are still a greater surface area than one sweep blade. This increases the force demands on the rower. The single is also slower than the eight. At the time of writing, the men’s single scull world record is 6:30 and the women’s is 7:07, compared to 5:18 for a men’s eight and 5:54 for a women’s eight. The slower boat has less momentum, increasing the force demands of the single sculler on each stroke.

The only data that I was able to find on this is a vague chart in Dr. Valery Kleshnev’s December 2001 issue of “Rowing Biomechanics” (duplicated in the 2006 “Rowing Biomechanics” document on page 14). Dr. Kleshnev states that the average maximal force for male scullers is 766N (76.6kg) versus 671N (67.1kg) for male sweep rowers, and 547N (54.7kg) for female scullers versus 479N (47.9kg) for female sweep rowers. This data is vague because there are no collection methods indicated, it is self-published, we know nothing about the participants, and all scullers and all sweep rowers are collected together, despite the fact that differences almost certainly exist between single sculls and quadruple sculls and pairs and eights.

The variables at play are extremely complex, including rigging, rowing conditions, techniques, and individual athlete differences that can alter the per-stroke loading further. In general, scullers are moving greater per-stroke loads than sweep rowers due to the greater combined surface area of the blades. This also affects technique. The single sculler typically produces a more gradual force curve than the eight rower due to the increased force demands in the early drive phase. I’ve observed many times that rowers who are used to rowing eights will get into a single scull and attempt to apply the same high pressure at the catch, and struggle until they learn to apply force more gradually. I’ve also observed athletes go from the single into the quad or double scull and feel like they lack connection at the catch because the force curve from their single sculling technique is now too slow for the faster moving boat of the double or quad. It is perhaps more important that the single sculler can produce greater force throughout the stroke, while the eight rower needs more rapid power application in the early drive with lower total force, and those rowing two or four-person boats falling somewhere in the middle of those extremes.

Key physiological performance features for scullers depends on the boat category and race distance of the athlete. Energy system use is related to intensity and duration of activity. Scullers racing less distance will achieve greater intensities for shorter durations than scullers racing more distance. Rowing researchers indicate that a 2km race is approximately 77-88% aerobic and 12-23% anaerobic. Variation exists due to different race durations. The researchers who found 77% aerobic and 23% anaerobic studied 16 elite male rowers with an average 2km erg time of 6:06. The researchers who found 88% aerobic and 12% anaerobic studied 16 competitive female rowers with an average 2km erg time of 7:30. Rowers who race 2km faster will achieve higher intensity and a shorter duration and greater anaerobic system contribution, while slower rowers achieve a longer duration and greater aerobic system contribution.

There is no research on the 1km distance, but Ed McNeely suggests in “Rowing Faster, 2nd Ed.” (“Rowing Physiology,” 2011) that a 1km race may be up to 50-60% anaerobic . We would expect variation within this number due to different boat categories and masters rowers of different ages. For example, the men’s AA class (21-27-years old) quad at 2019 Masters Nationals completed the 1km course in 3:07. The mens’ K+ class (85+ years old) single won it in 4:53. The PR1 class adaptive 1km erg record is 5:30 for the women’s 70-79 age group. Even though the distance is the same, the AA quads will be significantly more anaerobic, while the K+ single will be much more aerobic, and the PR1 70-79 year old rower more aerobic still. Consider duration of race more than distance in meters for energy system needs.

There is no research on longer racing distances, but the same logic applies regarding duration of race. Distance or head races of more than 2km will be almost entirely aerobic due to the inverse relationship of duration and intensity.

Injury Risks: Is Sculling Healthier?

It seems a commonly held opinion that sculling is healthier than sweep rowing, but research on sculling injuries specifically is limited and what of it there is is inconclusive across age demographics. A few relevant highlights are as follows:

• Researchers studying Team Australia elite rowers found more rib stress injuries in sweep rowers in the 2013-2015 years of study (11.5% vs. 6%), but more in scullers in the 2016 year of study (8% vs. 2%). (Harris, Trease, Wilkie, & Drew, 2020)
• Masters rowers over age 60 who sculled experienced more low back injuries than those who did sweep rowing. (Smoljanović et al., 2018)
• Inconclusive in a study of 398 junior rowers. (Smoljanović et al., 2009)
• Switching between sweep and scull is a risk for rib stress injury, but not one specific type of rowing. (Evans & Redgrave, 2016)

The issue of injury differences between sculling and sweeping or erging is largely absent from “Rowing Injuries” (2012) and “Rowing Injuries: An Updated Review” (2016). The authors of the former state that, “the majority of rowing injuries are overuse injuries due to an abrupt change in training volume, alterations in technique, or the type of boat rowed.” The main takeaway here is that rowing injuries are still about management of training volume, load, and progression more than they are due to one specific training modality.

Individual Athlete Needs

We also evaluate individual factors in a needs analysis. Everyone can scull from youth to elite to masters with overlap between categories, but each of these major domains requires specific training practices and adjustments based on age, stage of development, prior training experience, personal injury history, and other factors beyond the pure needs of the sport. People come to sculling from all different athletic backgrounds. Sculling tends to be more available for youth (ie. U14) rowers than sweep rowing, but sweeping is more common in the USA for junior (ie. U19) and collegiate programs. Elite rowers (ie. U23 or senior) may scull or sweep in all categories and sizes of boats. Sculling is generally more available than sweep rowing for adaptive rowers, with six sculling events versus just three sweep events at the FISA World Championships. Masters athletes may again sweep or scull, depending on their interests and availability in rowing programs. Many masters have come back to rowing to scull after sweep rowing in their junior or collegiate days, while others come to the sport with a background in other endurance sports, or power sports, or no sporting background at all. There is a particularly strong group of masters rowers in the US of women over age 60 who didn’t have athletic opportunities in the pre-Title IX era (1972) and are just now discovering an athletic identity through rowing. An even more recent phenomenon is Crossfit athletes crossing over who learned rowing via the erg and want to try the on-water experience. Each of these athlete populations requires analysis and a specific approach in strength training.

Truly great scullers will have excellent strength, fitness, and event-specific technique, taking into account their own personal strengths and weaknesses and demands of racing. The top performers in any sport typically have just the right combination of genetic factors, training, technique, and experience in the sport. I believe that many people can be GOOD scullers by maximizing just one of those major qualities and achieving adequacy on the other. Choose your own adventure. Do you prefer the path of the technician? Become a master of the art of sculling (and the dark art of rigging) while achieving adequate strength and fitness. Or, do you prefer the path of the physiologist? Pursue excellent strength and fitness for the demands of your racing event while achieving adequate technique (and a simple rigging setup).

Plenty of rowers scull for pure enjoyment of rowing and to get out on the water with little or no interest in formal racing. This is especially so in the 2020 “Year of the Single Sculler” due to pandemic restrictions on team boats and physical proximity. Strength training still offers benefits for these rowers. Our major goals are developing strength and muscle and improving movement quality to achieve goal technique, reduce injury risk, and maximize longevity in the sport.

Strength training can be more flexible for those with less competitive goals. We give up flexibility for specificity when we focus on sport performance at a specific date and under specific parameters. A recreational sculler whose primary interest is enjoyment of the sport and physical health can do a more variable or flexible rowing and strength training program without such rigorous demands of scheduled training to elicit specific adaptations for a performance goal.

Recreational scullers can choose which elements of strength training they do and don’t wish to incorporate based on any number of personal reasons. Goal-setting and clarity is still important for these athletes. A common pitfall of recreational athletes is trying to maximize performance on everything simultaneously from deadlift one-rep maximum, fat loss, biceps girth, and sculling technique. These goals can be conflicting or contradictory and lead to burn-out or increased risk of injury when the athlete simply does too much or too much different training with insufficient planning and recovery.

Key elements of a recreational strength training for sculling program are mostly covered in my “Minimum Rowing Strength Training” article. Add to this with exercises and goals that speak to you from this article or other sources. A full-body land warmup before rowing, erging, and strength training sessions is a must. Include some sort of lower body exercise, both bilateral and unilateral, to gain or at least maintain leg power in the stroke. Hinge movements are helpful for stroke technique, connection of leg power to handle, and building a strong trunk. These need not be trained particularly heavy to gain the benefits. A horizontal pushing motion will build shoulder stability and improve muscular balance between the upper body pulling muscles used in rowing and the neglected pushing muscles. Full range-of-motion horizontal and vertical pulls are useful to work the upper body pulling muscles through a complete movement, instead of the slightly abbreviated stroke technique. Specific shoulder movements like the YWT raise, band or cable pullapart, and band or cable facepull develop the postural muscles of the mid-back. Include but don’t overdo core exercises. “The core” includes both the anterior and posterior trunk muscles, not just the beloved rectus abdominis “six-pack” muscle, and these muscles mostly exist in rowing to transfer force from the lower body (footplate) to the upper body (handle). Training only “the core” only trains one very small part of the body and rowing stroke, especially if training only the anterior abdominal muscles. Remember that the trunk muscles are also trained through full-body movements like the squat and hinge exercises.

Read More: The Minimum Rowing Strength Training Plan

With a solid understanding of the sport-specific performance features, injury risks, and differences of sculling versus erging and sweep rowing, we can now talk about specific adjustments to strength training.

I make few adjustments in lower body exercise selection for scullers, because the actions below the rib cage are largely the same for sweep rowers, scullers, and ergers. My exercise selection for the upper body may look similar, but the cues I use and how I present the exercises have some sculling-specific attributes. Below is a playlist of some of my go-to exercises for each major movement category and an exercise bank table. Check out my Craftsbury strength training for sculling webinar to hear more about my specific rationale and cues for each exercise.

Strength Training for Sculling Exercise Playlist

Here’s an additional exercise modification to the standard barbell “landmine” row. I’ve used this as a tangible cue to teach “pressure into the pin,” or maintaining outboard contact between oar collar and oarlock during the final phase of the drive (propulsive stroke phase). It requires a ~$10 investment at your local hardware store for the 2-inch-to-1-inch reducer and 6-8-inch length of 1-inch pipe. The video below has instructions for assembly as well as exercise execution.

Strength Training for Sculling Programming: Sprint or Distance?

While the exercises are quite similar, more of my adjustments come in with programming with scullers depending on the athlete’s age and competitive priorities. Below are a few key considerations depending on the competitive priorities of the athlete.

Sprint 1km/2km Race Considerations

One-kilometer and two-kilometer races are considered sprint races by rowing standards even though they take between three and nine minutes to complete, depending on athlete age, ability, and boat class. This is an important consideration for strength coaches who would usually consider a “sprint” to be completed in under 90 seconds of glycolytic energy system performance. Remember from our needs analysis that the sprint rower will achieve greater anaerobic energy system contribution with shorter racing durations. Research indicates that 2km rowers are between 77-88% aerobic depending on the exact duration of racing, while 1km rowers may be more like 50-60% anaerobic.

Power a very important training factor for masters rowers for several reasons. First, the 1km racing distance is significantly more anaerobic than a 2km race due to the shorter duration and greater intensity. Second, rowers racing a 1km spend proportionately greater time in the start and sprint phases than those racing 2km. The ability to get off the line quickly and the ability to increase intensity near the finish is even more critical in a 1km race. Third, aging naturally leads to losses in strength and power. Masters rowers are racing in a more power-dependent environment while also losing power with each year of aging.

Strength training plays a crucial role in improving power for rowing and maintaining strength and power with aging. Anecdotally, I’ve found that masters rowers with an endurance background or no sporting background can achieve better performances with the addition of strength training, even late in life. Strength training adaptations for muscular size (hypertrophy) are primarily hormone driven and therefore less available later in life. However, the neuromuscular system is an important element of strength training adaptation, and this can be accessed at any point in one’s life and training experience. I focus more on hypertrophy with younger scullers (ie. junior/U19 and collegiate/U23) to maximize hormone-driven adaptations while they are available, and more on neuromuscular adaptations with masters rowers. The former is an approach of generally higher volume and lower intensity (ie. percentage of one-rep maximum) while the latter is generally lower volume and higher intensity.

Read More: Strength Training for Masters Rowers

Tapering and peaking has a greater performance effect on shorter duration performances with greater dependence on the muscular and neuromuscular system. We often say “fatigue masks fitness.” It is important that we remove the fatigue stimulus before racing so that full fitness can be displayed, especially with higher intensity sprint races with greater muscular emphasis.

Read More: In-Season Rowing Strength Training

Distance Race (3km+) Considerations

Power is less important for scullers who focus on distance races. However, the longer race distance typically means increased volume of rowing training. Masters rowers who train for lengthy races with similarly lengthy training sessions need to be extra careful of their strength training volume. No amount of sets and reps in a gym can simulate training for a 6km race (600 strokes…600 reps? Don’t do it.). Distance-racing scullers should consider that their endurance work is coming from erging and on-water training even more than those racing shorter durations. Focus on low volume strength and power training in the gym for stroke muscles, as well as using strength training time to train movements and muscles that rowing and erging neglects.

Scullers racing longer distances will get less performance benefit from the tapering and peaking cycles of sprint racers, due to the decreased importance of peak power. My tapering and peaking strategies for distance racers, such as those peaking for Head of the Charles, is to simply decrease volume two weeks away from the race, then decrease intensity during the first session of the week of the race, and eliminate the second session of the week of the race. This achieves the goal of increasing recovery ability by decreasing training stimulus, allowing the athlete to express their full fitness on race day.

Strength Training for Coastal Rowers

Coastal rowing is a rapidly growing competitive pursuit and requires some interesting adjustments in training and strength training. Coastal rowers compete with heavier boats. The minimum single weight is a whopping 77lbs, with doubles checking in at 132lbs and quads at 330lbs plus a coxswain. At the World Rowing Coastal Championships, rowers race in 4km and 6km races, including slalom or buoyed turns and starting and finishing the race on land (ie. out of the boat). Other coastal races exist of widely varying distances and competitive styles. Among the shortest are “beach sprints,” consisting of a 50-meter beach run to get into the boat, 250 meters out to a buoy, a sharp turn or slalom course, 250 meters back, and then a 50-meter run to to the finish line. Some coastal rowing races are significantly longer, such as the “Seventy48” race in which rowers race 70 miles in under 48 hours. My friend Greg Spooner of “RowPhysio” won this race in a double in 2019 in a staggering 10 hours and 49 minutes of continuous rowing.

All of these variables affect the training and strength training for coastal rowers versus other sprint or distance rowers. The weight of the boat is a huge factor, with coastal single rowers hauling around at least 47 more pounds per stroke than their Olympic counterparts (FISA minimums are 30lbs for an Olympic single scull but 77lbs for a coastal single scull!). Strength is comparatively more important for coastal rowers, especially for those racing short distances. For those racing long distances, training volume is even more important to manage. A coastal rower who I was coaching for the Seventy48 race had a standard weekend training session of four hours of continuous rowing or erging! There was zero room in our strength training program for anything other than what was strictly necessary for performance and reduced risk of injury. Our strength training was very low volume: one main work exercise for 2-4 sets of 3-6 reps, followed by 2-3 assistance exercises for 2-4 sets of 6-15 reps, concluding with a few sets of low intensity core work and lateral and rotational lower body movements. We were careful to plan recovery time between strength training and very lengthy continuous sessions.

Wrap Up and Strength Training for Sculling Webinar

Key points of strength training for sculling include an understanding of the specific training and competitive performance needs of the athlete, a similar strength training system for lower body where the movements are similar between sculling, erging, and sweep rowing, and a sculling-specific strength training approach for the upper body where the sculling motion differs greatly. Strength training for sculling exists to improve power production of stroke-relevant muscles (ie. lower body, back, and biceps muscles) and develop muscles and movements that sculling-only neglects, including upper body pushing, lateral, rotational, and shoulder external rotation exercises. Strength coaches of rowers should consider that scullers already do a great amount of muscular and aerobic endurance work in on-water or erg training, and focus strength training on strength, power, muscular development, and movement quality as appropriate for the individual athlete and their needs. Identifying individual differences is particularly important, as scullers can come from different athletic backgrounds ranging from former rower, endurance sport, power sport, or no sport at all. Scullers may perform in vastly different competitive tasks ranging from sprint 1km races to great distance events, with variation within this due to duration of race and specific energy system demands.

I presented on strength training for sculling to the Craftsbury Sculling Center Weekly Webinars on August 12, 2020. This was the seventh in their webinar series, with replays available of all webinars on Craftsbury’s website and on their Youtube channel . Subscribe or follow for more updates, and remember, if you like the webinars, the in-person camps are even better! Come see us in 2021 (fingers crossed) and beyond.

Get  Rowing Stronger!

“rowing stronger: strength training to maximize rowing performance” is the comprehensive guide to strength training for rowing, from first practice of the off-season all the way to peak championship race performance, and for everyone from juniors to masters rowers. the second edition is available now in print and e-book..

Great information for scullers.

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Sculling, a world tour of an ancestral navigation practice

Sculling is an ancestral art that is not well known, although it is still practiced in France, but also in several regions of the world. Let's discover together the different types of sculls that inhabit the waters of our globe. Do you know of any others? Do not hesitate to share the information by leaving a comment.

Sculling is a means of propulsion that has been used for decades by experienced sailors on boats or small non-motorized sailboats. It designates both the object, an oar positioned at the back of a boat, which allows to move and steer by stirring the water, and the practice, that is to say the action of "sculling", which requires a certain dexterity. The boat can be of various types, but always has a transom that allows the scull to be placed in its support.

Sculling in France

The sculling is mainly used in the Atlantic and particularly in Brittany . This type of propulsion has long been the majority in this region. Historically, it is used by most professional and leisure fishermen, especially when sailing or motoring does not allow fishing. It is also used to pass between two banks on lakes, rivers or seas.

Sculling was particularly adapted to flat-bottomed boats. It quickly became a means of propulsion to help out, especially when the engine failed or when sailing was difficult. As an alternative to thermal (or electric) propulsion , it is mainly used for secondary displacements.

Today, sculling has its own world championship which takes place every year on the island of Groix, in Port-Lay. New generations of scullers are also being created to keep the practice alive and to teach it to young people in particular.

Sculling in the world

South America

On the lake Titicaca euros in the Andes cordillera euros the inhabitants of the Uros islands move on Yampus, made with reeds and moved by a scull placed between two tolets. The scull is made simply, a branch is used as a handle. It includes however a double handle, made with a branch fork.

In the China Sea, and more widely in Southeast Asia, Sanpans are used for coastal fishing, coastal navigation and even as dwellings in protected waters. It is a wooden boat with a flat bottom similar to the barges found on our rivers. It is propelled by a pole or a long scull called yuloh.

The Tarai-bune is a cylindrical boat comparable to a large basket or a half barrel made of wood. It is mainly found on the island of Sado. The oar is attached to the boat with a rope forming a loop and allows to scull by pulling the boat rather than pushing it. It allows access to very shallow water, especially for fishing.

The case of the gondola

The Venetian gondola is not driven by a sculling motion. Unlike the classical swimming technique where the oar comes out of the water and returns to its starting position, the gondolier's oar returns to the same position while remaining submerged.

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Everything You Need to Know About Sculling Oars

by Angus Rowboats 8 Comments

There’s plenty of information outlining the benefits of a sliding seat rowing system for recreation, but there is very little information about the oars required.  For newcomers to the sport, it can be confusing figuring out what is needed. We decided it was time to write a comprehensive page outlining everything you need to know about sculling oars.

Oar Feathering

Unlike fixed seat rowing, it is important that sculling oars are feathered (turned horizontal to the water) on the return stroke.  This is not just for decreasing wind resistance, but it reduces the chance of the blades catching the water, since there is generally less clearance than with a fixed seat system.

Having the flat edge of the shaft abutting the flat edge of the oarlock not only provides a stable defined angle, but it also helps distribute the pressure across the shaft.  A round oar shaft (only used in fixed seat rowing) generally has a very small contact point with the oarlock which increases the chances of it breaking and causing excessive wear.  As you can see in the image (right) of a typical fixed seat oarlock system, the contact point between the shaft and oarlock is minimal, and blade angle is ambiguous with regards to shaft orientation in oarlock.

Oar Sleeves and Buttons

With the advent of carbon fiber and fiberglass oars, it was easier and stronger to manufacture oars with round shafts.  This meant that at the location of the oarlock, is was necessary to install a sleeve (see image to right) that replicates the shape of traditional oar shaft for proper action in the oarlock.

Properly designed and shaped wooden sculling oars do not require sleeves since the oar shaft is already the correct shape for ideal feathering action.   

Hollow Shaft Wooden Oars

An alternative to expensive carbon/fiberglass oars is constructing your own wooden sculling oars.  These should not be confused with regular wooden oars, as there is a world of difference in weight, shape and specs.  The shaft should be hollow to reduce weight, and it should not be round.  Sculling oars are made from lightweight strong woods such as spruce. Generally, construction costs range from $50-$200. We sell plans in our online store for hollow shaft oars.  Click here for more information. There are also a few manufacturers in the U.K. that produce completed wooden oars, however, costs, including shipping to North America are over $1000/pair.

Two-Part Oars

 Sculling oars are approximately 9.5' in length.  While this is ideal for rowing, they immediately become unwieldy for transporting or storing.  A solution for this is to use two-part oars that break in half with a ferrule.  Advanced manufacturing techniques now allow this option with minimum weight penalty.  If the budget allows, two part oars will make life much easier on and off the water.

Where to Purchase Sculling Oars?

There are a number of companies in North America (including our own) offering good quality sculling oars, and we list them below.  When comparing pricing, be sure to include shipping costs, as one-part oars are subject to extreme oversize penalties.  

One-Part Sculling Oars:

• Chesapeake Light Craft

Two-Part Sculling Oars

• Red Beard Sailing
• Angus Rowboats (our company)

Rowing Geometry

For information on positioning of the oarlocks, sliding seat, foot braces, etc, please visit our rowing geometry page .

Angus Rowboats

8 responses.

July 04, 2018

Having built the Oxford Wherry, I am looking for a set of Sculling oars. The length required is 9’ 6”. If anyone has a used set please send me a note. Ideally a Concept2 set would be preferred.

Paul Correll

October 28, 2016

Please let me know where to purchase buttons for the leather wrapped hollow oars that we have constructed from your design. Thanks, Paul

Your entire story and website are fantastic and very inspiring. I keep going back to the build gallery, your oars are beautiful. I built 2 pair of oars and I was pretty proud of them but now after seeing yours its time for an evolution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqDjFy8z08U Thank you My oars do work and got me on the water and hopefully have inspired some backyard builders to go for it. Thanks again

We will have buttons available in our online store next month.

Ideally, you’ll be using clear sitka spruce in ten foot lengths. Good pine can also be used. Heavier woods such as fir are good for strength, but will make the oar heavier.

I’m interested in both your sliding seat and rigger system and the wooden oars. Can you tell me what wood I’ll need (type and dimensions) to build these? If the wood is not available locally (Ohio), can you recommend an internet soruce?

@ Bob Cramer – if you still have those wood oars I would be interested in them. Please email me: [email protected]

Thanks, Guy S.

I have a pair of new 9’6" Piantedosi sculling oars for sale. Not sure what they are worth – will sell for best offer.

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The summer of 2023 saw three audacious teams, including one using our very own RowCruiser boats, aiming to be the first to traverse NW Passage solely by human power within a single season. As the season concludes, we've chronicled these attempts, and catalogued past human-powered endeavors to navigate the Northwest Passage.

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Product Reviews

The Scullmatix

Sculling's simple solution

From Issue   December 2015

S ometimes, when you want to slide quietly from one fishing spot to the next, work up a narrow guzzle, or maneuver through a tight mooring field, it’s nice to be able to put a single oar over the stern to move the boat by sculling. The technique also comes in handy when you want to move your dinghy without getting your seat wet from the morning dew or simply do some salty stylin’ in front of a crowd of dock dwellers.

Learning how to scull takes some practice, but with the Scullmatix, a device that automatically produces the right angling of the blade, you can get your boat moving straightaway and without instruction. The Scullmatix provides benefits even for skilled scullers: It doesn’t strain your wrist, it allows you to stand in the best spot to trim the boat, and it converts one of your boat’s oars into a long, take-apart sculling oar.

The Scullmatix is made of 1/8″ stainless steel plate and secured withe a pair of stainless 5/16″ bolts and wingnuts. Resting in the boat here, it’s shown upside down.

To use the Scullmatix, clamp an oar in one side with its blade perpendicular to the device and a handle in the other. It’s sized to fit an oar with a diameter of 1¾″ and a handle with a diameter of 1½″ and a length of around 40″. The handle, situated below the oar, automatically twists the blade; you simply pull and push the handle back and forth.

I’ve been sculling for years, so I was curious to see how well the device would work and tried it on several boats. My narrow-bottomed Swampscott dory, TIPSY, was not ideal. A 7½′ oar I had kicking around was too short, even with a 48″ handle; an 8-footer, one of the dory’s regular oars, worked a little better, but I still had to stand too close to the stern. When I clamped the Scullmatix onto my 10′ sculling oar, I could sit on the after thwart; I had a good time sculling for a good half mile at 1.5 to 2 knots. The 10-footer has a 4′ blade that induces a slow and sustainable rhythm; the smaller blades meant for rowing wanted a higher “wag” rate.

The author’s double ender has a short outrigger for an oarlock for sculling. It needed to be slightly elevated for the Scullmatix to keep the handle from making contact with the outrigger.

With RAN TAN, my double-ended 17′ Tony Dias–designed Harrier, I have an outrigger for sculling. With the 7½′ oar in the Scullmatix, it didn’t feel like I had enough blade in the water. The 8-footer made a difference by immersing more blade area. But what was really nice was using my 10′ sculling oar. I could put my body weight into the stroke in a nice rhythm. The boat is a little light and narrow, and it rolled when sculled hard, so the big oar would have been better with a heavier or beamier boat.

I also tried sculling an 18′ Lund outboard skiff on a windy day, using an improvised oarlock socket on a bit of wood clamped to the transom. With my 10-footer in the Scullmatix I was able, much to my surprise, to make good progress into the wind. With a wide, steady platform offered by the wide stern, there was no problem with boat trim or rocking.

The Scullmatix is designed for use with an oarlock rather than a transom notch. The flange in the middle of the device is meant to bear upon the metal lock; it will chew up wood around a notch. The oarlock socket should be oriented athwartships, and whatever the oarlock is mounted on should be relatively narrow so that neither the oar nor the Scullmatix makes contact with it.

The Scullmatix is nicely made of heavy-gauge stainless steel, and the clamping surface is long and smooth enough so that even a soft spruce oar isn’t damaged by it. The unit has wing nuts to tighten it, and securing it requires pliers or a wrench as recommended in the instructions.

The action is indeed automatic. You won’t need to grip the handle firmly to maintain pitch, or to reverse your angle on every stroke. You can push it back and forth and grip the handle only during the pull stroke; your hand can be loose, and even open, as you push. This definitely helps prevent cramping and other wrist and forearm problems. I had no trouble sculling RAN TAN a couple of miles at close to 2 knots in smooth water with little wind.

The biggest challenge is making sharp turns. With a regular sculling oar you flatten your pitch on one stroke and use plenty on the other to turn sharply. With the Scullmatix it seems almost impossible to move the oar with no pitch. Instead, I would alternate a power stroke and almost a coasting stroke to turn. With more practice I’d expect to improve.

Ben Fuller , curator of the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, Maine, has been messing about in small boats for a very long time. He is owned by a dozen or more boats ranging from an International Canoe to a faering.

The Scullmatix is available from Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply for $37.50.

Is there a product that might be useful for boatbuilding, cruising or shore-side camping that you’d like us to review? Please email your suggestions.

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What is Sculling and why do we love it?

So what is sculling? We know rowing is a sport that many people enjoy, but did you know there are different techniques you can use? In this article, we will discuss Sculling. What it is and how do you do it? And who are some famous rowers who were amazing scullers? We’ll answer all of those questions and more! So, if you’re interested in learning more about this particular rowing technique, keep reading!

Table of Contents

What is Sculling

Sculling is a rowing technique that uses oars to propel a boat forward. Unlike traditional rowing, which uses oars that are attached to the boat, sculling uses oars that are held in the hands. This allows for greater control and mobility, making it perfect for small boats. Sculling is also a great workout, as it uses all of the major muscle groups.

In addition, because sculling involves constant movement, it can be an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or a new way to stay fit, sculling is definitely worth trying.

The History of Sculling

Sculling is a popular rowing technique that has been used for centuries. The first recorded use of sculling dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was used to propel boats along the Nile River. Can you imagine rowing in that heat? Sculling quickly became popular in other parts of the world, and by the Middle Ages, it was being used in Europe to move barges and other large vessels.

In the 18th century, sculling began to be used for recreation and competition, and it remains a popular sport today. Thanks to its simple equipment and easy-to-learn technique, sculling is enjoyed by rowers of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing way to enjoy a sunny day or a challenging workout, sculling is an activity that is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.

Famous Scullers

There have been many famous scullers throughout history, including Sir Steve Redgrave, who won five Olympic gold medals in sculling between 1984 and 2000. another well-known sculler is Sir Matthew Pinsent , who also won four Olympic gold medals in sculling between 1992 and 2004. More recently, Andrew Triggs Hodge, who rowed for Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics, became the first ever person to win an Olympic gold medal in sculling.

Why We Feel Sore After Rowing: DOMS and How Best to Look After Our Bodies

What is sculling?

Sculling is a rowing technique that uses oars to propel a boat forward. Unlike traditional rowing, which uses oars that are attached to the boat, sculling uses oars that are held in the hands.

How do you do it?

To scull, rowers hold an oar in each hand and use them to propel the boat through the water. Sculling requires constant movement and coordination, making it a great workout for the whole body.

Who are some famous scullers?

Some of the most famous scullers in history include Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent, and Andrew Triggs Hodge.

What are the benefits of sculling?

Sculling is a great workout, as it uses all of the major muscle groups. In addition, because sculling involves constant movement, it can be an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or a new way to stay fit, sculling is definitely worth trying.

We hope you enjoyed learning about Sculling! This rowing technique is a great way to get a workout and enjoy the outdoors. If you’re interested in giving it a try, be sure to check out our beginner’s guide to sculling. And if you’re already an experienced sculler, we’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Sculling Oars (yuloh)

• Thread starter Perry Solheim
• Start date Jul 4, 2016
• Tags sculling oar yuloh
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

Perry Solheim

Anyone build/install a sculling oar (yuloh, actually) on their full keel boat? Worth it? (I'm a woodworker, among my many hobbies and have a large well equipped shop, except for a lathe that I could use to build a wooden oar with...). I'm looking for tips on where to locate the oar lock (can't be close to center because of the tiller and rudder, but my IF is also very narrow so if I get too far to the starboard, I run the risk of banging the life line stanchions...) If you use one, how far do you tend to move the oar back and forth? How much space should I allow? Also, does the line that attaches to the deck need to be directly below the center of the oar, in line with the oar lock? Thanks for the help. I'm excited to be in the forum and actually have a boat to ask real questions about.  

I don't have your answers, Perry, but I'm also interested in a yuloh as back-up propulsion for my little catboat. I too have the woodworking skills and shop to easily build one. Looking forward to having someone with some practical experience chime in.  

Scott T-Bird

I think you'll find lots of experience and help with diesel mechanics but not so much with a sculling oar! But you never know ... give it some time!  

Scott T-Bird said: I think you'll find lots of experience and help with diesel mechanics but not so much with a sculling oar! But you never know ... give it some time! Click to expand

Ukeluthier said: P Problem is, diesel mechanics generally aren't aboard when the auxiliary quits on a windless Chesapeake day. I'm pretty good with a wrench myself and keep my auxiliary well-maintained, but I'm a self-reliant "belt-and-suspenders" man who thinks a low-tech back-up makes sense for a smallish boat. I keep a canoe paddle in one of the cockpit lockers, but that doesn't cut it for any significant distance. I suspect there are a few more of us Luddites out there. Click to expand

My experience using a single sculling oar dates back to about 1973-75 when I taught Rowing Merit Badge at a BSA camp in northern Wis. However that was on a 16 foot rowboat. You will want the oar lock mounted off center but on a rowboat that was primarily for balance, on our boat probably enough to clear the rudder and tiller is fine. Your range of motion is probably limited to an arm length plus a little more if you lean into it. Not sure what you mean by the line that attaches to the deck? Our sculling oar lock was a U shape and the oar had a leather wrap about 8 inches with a leather collar that helped keep the oar from slipping down the oar lock. I have also seen some type of loop on the oar that fit over a post on the stern rather than using an oar lock. I did a quick google search (images) and saw a variety of ways to hold the oar in place. One pix of a ~25 foot sailboat looked like the captain was using a small telephone pole. There is also some YouTube videos of folks facing aft and working the heck out of the oar with both hands. The proper position is feet planted firmly on the deck, facing the side with the forward foot pointing somewhat in the direction of travel. Your aft hand working the oar and the forward hand holding your favorite adult beverage. Don’t forget to send pictures of the oar and a video of you gliding effortlessly through an anchorage.  

brazenarticle

check out this article for some info on making and using a yuloh http://triloboats.blogspot.com/2012/04/windless-running-on-grits.html  

brazenarticle said: check out this article for some info on making and using a yuloh http://triloboats.blogspot.com/2012/04/windless-running-on-grits.html Click to expand

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Sculling For Beginners – Boats, Oars, Strokes

Whether you have always been drawn to the peaceful serenity of gliding across the water or are simply looking for a new way to stay fit, sculling offers a fantastic opportunity to embrace the art of rowing. In this article, we will embark on a journey to explore the fundamentals of sculling, including the different types of boats, the anatomy of oars, and the essential strokes to help you navigate the water with grace and ease. So grab your oars, jump aboard our virtual vessel, and let’s uncover the exhilarating world of sculling together.

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Sculling is a popular form of rowing that requires a specific type of boat. There are various types of sculling boats available, each suited for different levels of rowing expertise. The most common sculling boats are the single scull, double scull, and quad scull.

A single scull, as the name suggests, is designed for one rower. It is the narrowest boat and requires the most skill to steer and balance. A double scull is meant for two rowers who each have a pair of oars. This boat provides stability and allows for a greater level of coordination between rowers. Lastly, the quad scull is designed for four rowers, with each rower having a single scull. This boat offers excellent speed and power while requiring synchronization between all four rowers.

Sweep Boats vs. Sculling Boats

In rowing, there are two main categories of boats: sweep boats and sculling boats. The primary difference between these two types of boats lies in the number of oars each rower uses. In sweep boats, each rower has only one oar, while in sculling boats, each rower uses two oars. Sculling boats allow for more independence and versatility compared to sweep boats. The use of two oars by each rower allows for better maneuverability and control of the boat.

Choosing the Right Boat

When it comes to choosing the right sculling boat, several factors need to be considered. The first consideration is the rower’s level of experience. Beginners may want to start with a more stable boat, such as a double scull, before progressing to a single scull. Additionally, the rower’s height and weight play a crucial role in determining the right boat size. Each boat has weight and size restrictions to ensure optimal performance. It is essential to consult with a coach or experienced rower to select the appropriate boat.

Sizing and Rigging a Sculling Boat

Once a rower has acquired the right sculling boat, proper sizing and rigging become essential for optimal performance. Sizing refers to ensuring that the boat fits the rower’s physique, taking into account height, weight, and arm length. Rigging, on the other hand, involves adjusting the boat’s equipment, such as the foot stretchers and oarlocks, to ensure proper alignment and power transfer. Sizing and rigging are critical to prevent injury and achieve efficient rowing technique. It is highly recommended to seek guidance from an experienced coach or boat technician to properly size and rig the sculling boat.

Oars are essential tools for sculling. Understanding the different parts of an oar, the various types of oars available, and their length and flexibility are key aspects of successful sculling.

Parts of an Oar

An oar consists of several components: the blade, the shaft, the collar, the sleeve, and the handle. The blade is the wider end of the oar that goes into the water during rowing strokes. The shaft is the long, cylindrical part of the oar that connects the blade to the handle. The collar is a ring that serves as a stopper, preventing the oar from slipping through the oarlock. The sleeve is a cylindrical piece that allows the oar to rotate smoothly in the oarlock. The handle, of course, is where the rower holds onto the oar.

Types of Oars

There are different types of oars available for sculling, including wooden, composite, and carbon fiber oars. Wooden oars are traditionally used and offer a classic look and feel. However, they tend to be heavier and require more maintenance. Composite oars are made from materials such as fiberglass and offer a good balance between weight, durability, and cost. Carbon fiber oars, on the other hand, are the lightest and most expensive option. They provide excellent performance and are favored by competitive rowers.

Length and Flexibility

The length and flexibility of an oar are essential factors to consider for optimal rowing. The length of the oar determines the amount of leverage a rower can exert on the boat. It is typically determined by the rower’s height and the boat’s size. Flexibility refers to how much the oar bends during the rowing stroke. The right amount of flexibility allows for better power transfer and reduces the risk of injury. It is crucial to consult with a coach or experienced rower to determine the appropriate oar length and flexibility based on individual factors.

Oar Maintenance

Proper oar maintenance is essential to ensure their longevity and performance. After each rowing session, it is important to rinse the oars with freshwater to remove any saltwater or debris. It is also recommended to occasionally apply a protective coating to the oars to prevent damage from prolonged exposure to sunlight. Additionally, regularly inspecting the oars for any signs of wear or damage, such as cracks or loose collars, is crucial for safety and performance. If any issues are detected, it is best to consult with a boat technician or oar manufacturer for repairs or replacements.

Mastering the proper sculling strokes is fundamental for efficient rowing technique. There are several key components to focus on when performing sculling strokes.

Basic Sculling Strokes

In sculling, there are two basic strokes: the drive and the recovery. The drive is the phase of the stroke where rowers exert power and propel the boat forward. During the drive, the rowers extend their legs, engage their core muscles, and pull the oars through the water, generating force. The recovery is the phase where rowers reset their bodies and oars to prepare for the next stroke. The recovery should be performed smoothly and efficiently, with rowers allowing the boat to glide through the water.

Catch and Recovery

The catch is the moment when the blade enters the water at the beginning of the drive. It is crucial to achieve a clean catch to maximize power transfer and prevent unnecessary slippage. The recovery phase is equally important, as rowers should maintain a relaxed but engaged posture while allowing the boat to glide through the water. Developing a smooth and fluid catch and recovery is essential for efficient rowing.

Posture and Body Position

Maintaining proper posture and body position is vital for effective sculling strokes. Rowers should sit tall with a straight back, engaging their core muscles and keeping their shoulders relaxed. The feet should be securely positioned on the foot stretchers, and the knees should be slightly bent. Proper body alignment allows for optimal power transfer and prevents strain or injury.

The way rowers position and angle the blades during sculling strokes significantly affects boat movement and speed. It is important to position the blades correctly in the water, ensuring that the full blade surface area is submerged. The angle of the blades should be adjusted according to the rower’s skill level and the desired boat speed. Developing precise and controlled blade work is essential for efficient sculling.

Timing and Rhythm

Achieving proper timing and rhythm among rowers is crucial for synchronous and harmonious sculling. The rowers should coordinate their movements, ensuring that each stroke is executed at the same time and with the same intensity. Establishing a steady and consistent rhythm helps maintain momentum and reduces energy wastage. Practice and communication among rowers are key to achieving optimal timing and rhythm.

Steering and Maneuvering

Steering and maneuvering the sculling boat require skill and coordination. By using differential pressure on the oars, rowers can control the direction and angle of the boat. To turn the boat, one rower pulls harder on one oar while the other rower eases off on the opposite side. Practice and experience are essential for mastering steering and maneuvering techniques .

Getting Started

Embarking on a sculling journey requires some initial steps to build a solid foundation.

Finding a Rowing Club

Joining a rowing club is a great way to immerse oneself in the sport of sculling. Rowing clubs provide access to equipment, coaching, training facilities, and a supportive community. Research local rowing clubs and visit them to get a sense of the club atmosphere and programs offered. Seek recommendations from experienced rowers or coaches to find a reputable and welcoming rowing club.

Introductory Lessons

Most rowing clubs offer introductory lessons for beginners. These lessons are designed to teach basic rowing techniques , safety guidelines, and provide an understanding of the equipment used. Introductory lessons are typically conducted in stable boats with experienced coaches, ensuring a supportive and educational environment for new rowers.

Learning Safety Guidelines

Rowing on the water requires adherence to specific safety guidelines to ensure the well-being of rowers and others around them. It is important to learn and practice safety procedures such as wearing a personal flotation device (PFD), understanding water conditions, and communicating with other boats and rowers. Safety should always be a top priority when participating in sculling activities.

Understanding Equipment

Acquiring knowledge about sculling equipment is essential for efficient and safe rowing. Learn about different types of boats, oars, and their maintenance requirements. Familiarize yourself with the various parts of an oar and how to properly rig them. Understanding and caring for sculling equipment promotes longevity and optimal performance.

Developing Basic Fitness

Rowing requires a certain level of physical fitness. As a beginner, it is important to develop a basic level of endurance, strength, and flexibility. Engage in regular cardiovascular exercises, such as running or cycling, to build endurance. Incorporate strength training exercises, focusing on core and upper body strength. Flexibility exercises, such as stretching and yoga, improve range of motion and help prevent injury.

Progressing to Sculling

Once the basics are mastered, progressing to sculling is the next step. Work with coaches and experienced rowers to develop advanced sculling skills and techniques. Gradually transition to smaller and more challenging boats, such as single sculls, as confidence and proficiency increase. Consistent practice and dedication will lead to further improvement and enjoyment of sculling.

Safety Precautions

While sculling can be a thrilling and rewarding activity, it is crucial to prioritize safety at all times. Implementing safety precautions ensures the well-being of rowers and maintains a secure environment.

Wearing a Personal Flotation Device

Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) is a fundamental safety measure when participating in sculling activities. A PFD provides buoyancy and ensures that rowers stay afloat in case of unforeseen circumstances or emergencies. It is important to wear a properly fitted PFD at all times, even for experienced rowers.

Understanding Water Conditions

Being aware of water conditions is essential for safe sculling. Rowing on calm and flat water is generally ideal for beginners. Understanding weather forecasts, tides, and currents helps anticipate any challenging water conditions. If unsure about the safety of rowing in specific water conditions, seek guidance from coaches or experienced rowers.

Checking Equipment Before Each Session

Before setting off on the water, it is vital to thoroughly inspect and check all sculling equipment. Ensure that the boat is in proper working condition, with no visible damage or loose parts. Check oars for any cracks or signs of wear. Confirm that all safety equipment, such as a PFD, is readily available and in good condition. Taking the time to conduct these pre-session checks prevents accidents and safeguards rowers’ well-being.

Learning and Practicing Emergency Procedures

Rowers should be familiar with emergency procedures and practice them regularly. This includes knowing how to respond in case of capsize or equipment malfunction. Each rower should understand how to self-rescue and assist others if necessary. Regularly practicing these emergency procedures ensures a swift and appropriate response during critical situations.

Communicating with Other Boats and Rowers

Clear and effective communication with other boats and rowers is imperative for a safe rowing environment. Use hand signals and voice commands to indicate intentions and avoid collisions. Pay attention to other boats’ movements and be mindful of one’s surroundings. Respect other rowers’ right of way and maintain a cooperative and safe rowing environment for everyone.

Racing in Sculling

For those seeking a competitive challenge, sculling races offer an opportunity to test skills and compete against others.

Understanding Race Formats

Sculling races can take different formats, including head races and regattas. Head races are time trials where rowers start one after another, aiming to achieve the fastest time. Regattas, on the other hand, involve side-by-side racing, showcasing the rowers’ speed and ability to overtake opponents. Understanding the format of the race is essential for strategic planning and training.

Training for a Sculling Race

Preparing for a sculling race requires a structured training plan. This includes a combination of on-water rowing sessions, land-based conditioning, and technique drills. Work closely with coaches or experienced rowers to develop a training program tailored to individual goals and fitness levels. Consistency, discipline, and dedication are key to improving performance.

Race Strategy and Tactics

Developing a race strategy and tactics beforehand is crucial for a successful sculling race. Analyze the course, identifying any potential challenges or advantages. Determine the appropriate stroke rate and intensity for different sections of the race. Practice race-specific scenarios and strategies to be better equipped to handle various race conditions. Working with a coach to develop effective race tactics is highly recommended.

Preparing Mentally for Competition

Mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation when it comes to sculling races. Visualize the race and practice mental imagery to build confidence and reduce anxiety. Develop strategies to handle nerves and maintain focus during the race. Utilize relaxation techniques and positive self-talk to stay composed and maximize performance on race day.

Tips for a Successful Sculling Race

Finally, here are some additional tips for a successful sculling race:

• Develop a strong start by initiating quick and powerful strokes.
• Maintain a steady and efficient rhythm throughout the race.
• Utilize the power from the legs and core for maximum stroke efficiency and power transfer.
• Pay attention to the boat’s set and balance, making necessary adjustments during the race.
• Keep calm and focused, adapting to changing water and race conditions.
• Celebrate and learn from each race, whether it results in a win or serves as a valuable learning experience.

By following these tips and continuously honing skills through practice and competition, rowers can achieve success in sculling races.

In conclusion, sculling is an engaging and challenging sport that offers a fantastic way to stay fit, enjoy the water, and compete at various levels. Understanding the different types of boats, oars, and strokes is essential for beginners to build a strong foundation. Prioritizing safety precautions and gradually progressing through introductory lessons and training enable rowers to develop confidence and expertise in sculling. With dedication, proper technique, and a strategic mindset, sculling races provide a competitive platform to showcase skills and achieve personal goals. So, grab your oars, hop in a sculling boat, and enjoy the exhilarating experience of sculling!

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2 hospitalized, 27 safe after rowing club boats capsize off Connecticut

WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) — A mishap involving sculling boats sent 29 people into the cold waters of Long Island Sound off Connecticut, but no serious injuries were reported. The boats from the private Saugatuck Rowing Club capsized off Westport Wednesday afternoon. Police say some people swam to shore and others were rescued by first responders in boats. Two people were brought to a hospital with suspected hypothermia. Police say two sculling boats capsized during a fast change in weather, and people from those boats sank a third vessel when they tried to get in it. Authorities say they are investigating with the goal of preventing similar incidents.

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Saugatuck rowing club scull boats carrying 27 students, 2 adults capsize on Compo Beach in Westport

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Dozens of high school students, 2 adults from Connecticut rowing club rescued after boats capsize

By Katie Houlis, Alecia Reid

Updated on: March 20, 2024 / 11:27 PM EDT / CBS New York

WESTPORT, Conn. -- Nearly 30 members of a Connecticut rowing club, including over two dozen high schoolers, were rescued from the  Long Island Sound  on Wednesday after their boats capsized.

Police say just before 5 p.m., three rowing sculls and one chase boat launched from Saugatuck Rowing Club in  Westport . Each rowing scull carried nine rowers, all males between the ages of 14-18, and the chase boat was operated by one coach.

According to police, as the boats reached Cockenoe Island, the weather began to change and they tried to head back to the club, but two of the rowing sculls began to take on water and capsized, throwing 18 students into the water. Some of the students then swam to the chase boat and hung onto the side, which caused the chase boat to sink.

Sixteen-year-old Davis Evans was on one of the boats that capsized and had to be rescued.

"It was really scary. I'm still kinda shaken up," he said. "It was really clean and then really right as we spun, it just, it got windy and the waves were just crashing into our boat and it was just filling up with water. It was really scary."

Watch: Westport officials provide update on water rescue in Long Island Sound

Police say a second coach launched another chase boat from the rowing club and began to shuttle people to Compo Beach Marina as first responders were sent to the scene.

"We had dispatch reports that were coming from 911 calls from the actual incident on the water. So the first calls were actually from someone reported that they were in a capsized boat and in the water," Westport Deputy Fire Chief Nicholas Marsan said.

According to police, the temperature of the water was approximately 44 degrees at the time.

"Responding units found a chaotic scene of youths swimming to shore. Some of them were arriving by boat. Some were swimming. Some were still in the water between Compo Beach and Cockenoe Island," Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said. "First responders immediately began providing care to those individuals who were on shore and coordinating the recovery of people in the water."

"When we finally got back on the beach, we had to run back on the beach towards the trucks and we were, like, falling and stuff. We couldn't really walk. It was rough," Davis said.

A total of 27 high school students and two adults were rescued, with at least 12 rowers being pulled out of the water by Westport Marine Police and the Westport Fire Department.

Police say the last victim was recovered from the water around 6 p.m. -- somewhere between 48-52 minutes after the boats capsized.

Two students were taken to a local hospital to be treated for hypothermia. The rest of the victims were treated on the scene.

"This was truly an incredible team effort by all. By the coaches that were involved from the rowing club and by all the first responders," Koskinas said.

When asked if he'll be back on the water any time soon, Davis said, "Yeah, rowing is my sport. It's what I do."  

We reached out to Saugatuck Rowing Club, but they declined to comment.

The police chief says they're still looking into exactly what happened out on the water. The goal of the investigation is to work with community partners to make sure something like this doesn't happen again.

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2 hospitalized, 27 safe after rowing club boats capsize off Connecticut

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WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) — Rowing club boats capsized during a fast change in weather off Connecticut on Wednesday, sending 27 teenagers and two adults into the cold waters of Long Island Sound, police and fire officials said. Two people were brought to a hospital with suspected hypothermia.

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First responders said they came upon a chaotic scene off the coast of Westport shortly after 5 p.m., as some of the people in the water were swimming to shore and others were trying to get into other boats. Police and firefighters from Westport and nearby towns responded, as did the Coast Guard.

Two sculling boats with the private Saugatuck Rowing Club capsized as the water became rough during a weather change, sending 18 people into waters off Compo Beach, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said at an evening news conference. The people in the water tried to get on a third, larger boat, causing it to sink and sending more people into the water, he said.

First responders used boats to rescue many of the people, while others were able to swim ashore.

“This was a very serious incident with an incredibly good outcome,” Koskinas said.

The teens, all male, ranged in age from 14 to 18. The two adults were instructors. Everyone was out of the water and safe within about 50 minutes, Koskinas said. The water temperature in Long Island Sound was about 44 degrees, he said.

The teens were put on a school bus to get warm and were picked up by their parents, he said.

Authorities said they were investigating why the boats capsized, with the goal of preventing similar incidents.

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2 hospitalized, 27 safe after rowing club boats capsize off Connecticut

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2 hospitalized, 27 safe after rowing club boats capsize off Connecticut

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WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) — Rowing club boats capsized during a fast change in weather off Connecticut on Wednesday, sending 27 teenagers and two adults into the cold waters of Long Island Sound, police and fire officials said. Two people were brought to a hospital with suspected hypothermia.

First responders said they came upon a chaotic scene off the coast of Westport shortly after 5 p.m., as some of the people in the water were swimming to shore and others were trying to get into other boats. Police and firefighters from Westport and nearby towns responded, as did the Coast Guard.

Two sculling boats with the private Saugatuck Rowing Club capsized as the water became rough during a weather change, sending 18 people into waters off Compo Beach, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said at an evening news conference. The people in the water tried to get on a third, larger boat, causing it to sink and sending more people into the water, he said.

First responders used boats to rescue many of the people, while others were able to swim ashore.

“This was a very serious incident with an incredibly good outcome,” Koskinas said.

The teens, all male, ranged in age from 14 to 18. The two adults were instructors. Everyone was out of the water and safe within about 50 minutes, Koskinas said. The water temperature in Long Island Sound was about 44 degrees, he said.

The teens were put on a school bus to get warm and were picked up by their parents, he said.

Authorities said they were investigating why the boats capsized, with the goal of preventing similar incidents.

Friday 11 April 2014

Moscow metro - spirit of a city (e.p).

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Things to Do in Elektrostal, Russia - Elektrostal Attractions

Things to do in elektrostal.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Electrostal History and Art Museum

2. Statue of Lenin

3. Park of Culture and Leisure

4. museum and exhibition center.

5. Museum of Labor Glory

7. Galereya Kino

8. viki cinema, 9. smokygrove.

10. Gandikap

11. papa lounge bar, 12. karaoke bar.

• Statue of Lenin
• Electrostal History and Art Museum
• Park of Culture and Leisure
• Museum and Exhibition Center
• Museum of Labor Glory