The rowboat is a small watercraft made from wood, fiberglass or composite materials. Casual boaters use simple rowboats for fishing or recreation, or as a form of exercise. Elite rowers rely on more advanced rowboats to increase speed and performance. As you compare different types of rowboats, consider your rowing ability and where you will use the boat before making your selection.
Skiffs
A skiff, sometimes called a dinghy or dory, is among the most widely used rowboat types. Skiffs feature a short, wide design that makes them highly stable, even in choppy water. That stability makes them ideal for beginner rowers and families, while their relatively large size has made them a perennially a popular choice for fishermen and recreational boaters. According to Earth Easy, the wider these boats are in relation to their width, the more stable they will be. For example, a boat that measures 12 feet long and 4 feet wide offers greater stability than one measuring 16 feet long and 4 feet wide. While their short, wide shape means they are less likely to tip, it also means that these boats are relatively slow and difficult to row. Basic models feature only one set of oar locks, while larger skiffs have multiple sets of oar locks to accommodate more than one rower.
Open Water Shells
The open water shell is a mid-level boat designed for relatively flat water. While these boats can be used in the ocean, they perform their best when the wind is light and waves are small. According to Little River Marine, open water shells feature a much longer, narrower design than skiffs. This shape allows them to move more quickly through the water, but also has a significant impact on stability. If you let go of the oars in an open water shell, the boat will likely tip over. Because there is very little space inside these boats, they are not the best choice for fishing or sunbathing. Open water shells allow rowers with a bit of experience to get in a good workout, and can also offer solid training opportunities for professional racers.
Flat Water Shells
Flat water shells, also known as fines, are designed for professional rowers. They feature a very long, thin shape that enhances speed in flat, calm waters. These boats feel very unstable to beginners, and if you let go of the oars, you will tip over and have trouble righting the boat. According to British Rowing, flat water shells feature up to 8 seats, and may have oar locks on one or both sides. Professional rowers each use a single, while scullers use a pair of oars. To maximize speed and performance, these boats do not include any extra space for storage or recreational use.
Member Comments
evergreenrowing December 2
There is an active community in North America that races open water shells. Open water racing is popular in the Pacific Northwest, New England and the San Francisco Bay Area, and each of these regions has a full calendar of events throughout the year. See http://www.soundrowers.org and http://www.openwaterracing.com, for example.