The Boat
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Prince William Crew

The Boat

Published by PWC Webmaster
Apr 07, 2022

Boat Classifications and Details

Shell

Another term for a boat; specifically, a boat used in racing. Shells are primarily made of carbon fiber and fiberglass, with aluminum riggers.

Eight

8 sweep rowers
with a coxswain
annotated as 8+
Four

4 sweep rowers
with a coxswain
annotated as 4+
Pair
2 sweep rowers
without a coxswain
annotated as 2-
Single
1 scull rower
without a coxswain
annotated as 1x
Oct

8 scull rowers
with a coxswain
annotated as 8x or 8x+
Straight Four
4 sweep rowers
without a coxswain
annotated as a 4-
Coxed Pair
2 sweep rowers
with a coxswain
annotated as 2+

  


Quad

4 scull rowers
with a coxswain
annotated as 4x or 4x+
Double
2 scull rowers
without a coxswain
annotated as 2x

  
 
Coxless Quad
4 scull rowers
without a coxswain
annotated as 4x-		    

Shell Size

Eight/Oct

~60' long
~200 lbs
Four/Quad
~45' long
~115 lbs
Pair/Double
~35' long
~65 lbs
Single
~30' long
~35 lbs

Rower Shell Equipment

Blade

The face of the oar that pushes against the water.

Back Stop

A small block on the bow end of the slide, which holds the seat on track.

Foot Stretcher

Part of the boat where the shoes are attached and where the rower pushes their legs on the drive.

Oarlock

Square latch to hold the oar and provide a fulcrum for the stroke against the rigger.

Slide

The tracks in which the seat rolls.		  

Rigger

An apparatus on the side of the boat to    provide a fulcrum for the oar.

Front Stop

A small block on the stern end of the slide, which holds the seat in place.		  


Shell Storage Equipment

Sling

A lightweight stand with fabric to hold boats in temporarily as
rowers test and perform adjustments to their seats and shoes.		    

Rack

Where boats are stored upside down for longer periods of time.
       


Bow of the Shell

Bow

The front of the shell and the first part of the shell to cross the finish line. Rowers sit with their backs to the bow. The coxswain sits facing the bow.

Bow Ball

For safety reasons, there is a rubber ball attached to the end of the bow. This is to protect the shell in case of collision.

Bow Coxed

When the coxswain is positioned in the bow with all of the rowers behind them. Usually, the coxswain slides down into the bow deck. The advantage is that the weight of the coxswain is lower in the shell. This can be seen on Fours and Quads.


Middle of the Shell

Port

Starboard
coxswain's left side
rower's right side		 coxswain's right side
rower's left side

Gunwale

The edge or lip of the shell that surrounds where rowers sit. This is where rowers will hold the shell when lifting and carrying it.


Stern of the Shell

Stern

The back of the shell and the last part of the shell to cross the finish line. Rowers sit facing the stern. The coxswain sits with their back to the stern.

Skeg

A fixed plastic/aluminum fin in the stern located beneath the boat and used for stabilization.

Rudder

Right behind the skeg, there is a small moveable piece of plastic/aluminum that angles port or starboard and will adjust the course of the shell accordingly. This is one of the responsibilities of the coxswain.

Stern Coxed

When the coxswain is positioned in the stern with all of the rowers facing them. Usually, the coxswain is sitting more-or-less upright. The advantage is that the coxswain can better see around them and see how the rowers are doing. This is the most common position for a coxswain.