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.
Shell
Another term for a boat; specifically, a boat used in racing. Shells are primarily made of carbon fiber and fiberglass, with aluminum riggers.
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Eight
8 sweep rowers with a coxswain annotated as 8+ Oct 8 scull rowers with a coxswain annotated as 8x or 8x+ |
Four
4 sweep rowers with a coxswain annotated as 4+ Straight Four 4 sweep rowers without a coxswain annotated as a 4- Quad 4 scull rowers with a coxswain annotated as 4x or 4x+ Coxless Quad 4 scull rowers without a coxswain annotated as 4x- |
Pair
2 sweep rowers without a coxswain annotated as 2- Coxed Pair 2 sweep rowers with a coxswain annotated as 2+ Double 2 scull rowers without a coxswain annotated as 2x |
Single
1 scull rower without a coxswain annotated as 1x |
Shell Size
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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 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.
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 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.
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Middle of the Shell
Port coxswain's left side rower's right side |
Starboard 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 that is beneath 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.
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 that is beneath 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.