Rowing for enjoyment means the use of boats and oars suitable for the age, strength and agility of the oarsman. It is ideal for quiet enjoyment, either alone or with a companion. One becomes a part of nature, with almost silent movement.

Is it to be river, estuary, or open sea? This depends to some extent on one's tastes, or where one lives. All are possible with a car and roof rack. The open sea is limited because of varying weather conditions; estuaries allow for straight rowing or following creeks on the tide among the saltings, while on rivers enjoyment may be had all the year. Even in Winter there are sunny days when rowing can be enjoyed, especially between 10am and 2pm.

Why are canoeing and sailboarding so popular? For many it is the ease of transport which is feasible with a roof rack and a light boat. If water is near, an evening trip is practicable. A further point is that wives who do not like sailing, usually enjoy a restful trip in a rowing boat, and usually do not get wet.

The right boat is important and difficult to find. Most of the old skiffs are either worn out or in museums. The ordinary dinghy is not suitable as the design is wrong, and the beam excessive. An ideal to look for is 12 - 15 ft. long with a beam of between 3 ft. and 4 ft. maximum, with a good rise of floor, a fine entry and a fine stern, that is double ended on the waterline. Lightweight is important, say a maximum of 100 lbs, stripped of floor boards, etc. This really means ply construction; cold moulded or glued clinker are best, but stitch and glue construction can produce a nice boat quickly and relatively cheaply. 6mm ply is amply strong if handled carefully out of the water, and floor boards are used.

There are a number of designs which conform to these requirements, mainly based on the Dory, Auray Fisherman or a wider version of stitch and glue canoes. Several firms produce G.R.P. hulls, but they are heavier and more expensive. Old clinker boats can be found and rescued if one is prepared to work on them. Of course they are heavier, but very safe for wives and children.

Oars are important; they should be as light as possible, e.g. 15 lbs. per pair for 8 ft. ones, and about 2½ beams of the boat in length. They can be found at sales such as the Beaulieu Jumble, boatyard sales and second hand chandlery stores, if lucky. River sculls are the most comfortable to use. Failing this, commercially made oars can be reduced to a reasonable weight with plane, spokeshave and glasspaper. If all else fails, make your own from spruce boards and waterproof glue.

Seating for comfort and efficiency should be 7-8 ins. below the gunwhale and 10-12 ins. above the floorboards. This will normally give a freeboard of about 15 ins. A. strong stretcher is a must, preferably adjustable, so that the knees are slightly bent when seated in your usual rowing position. If you are likely to catch a crab or are rowing in a seaway, a strap threaded through slots in tie stretcher to retain the toes is a help.

Rowlocks. Metal in all cases; bronze or brass if you like them, but galvanized are strongest. A distance of 12 ins. aft of the aft edge of the thwart is about right, with perhaps an extra inch or two for a tall person or a fast boat.

For the young and healthy, a 12-15 mile trip is enjoyable, and for an older person about half this distance. The very light boats are not so easy to use for camping afloat as they are not as stable as our usual types, but if the main thwart is removable and the craft beached before erecting the tent, a comfortable night can be spent. An early morning or evening trip in the peaceful part of the day will be memorable. A boat of this type which can be handled easily can be an adjunct to a sailing dinghy, until one discovers that rowing can be more enjoyable or one finds that it is not for you. The choice of water is greater and it is easier to go longer distances to suitable places not available to larger boats.

There are from time to time articles and ideas of rowing boats in "Practical Boat Owner"; also now available in this country two American magazines, "Wooden Boat" and "Small Boat Journal". Any readers of these magazines may be familiar with the excellent books of R. D. Culler and Joan Gardner. Some books are available from public libraries.

Come and join us!