How To Measure the Span in a Rowing Shell
November 14, 2008 by
Filed under Leverage, Rigging Concepts, videos
Scullers . . . this one is for you!
In sculling span is a very critical measurement. It tells the distance between the port and starboard pins. This is an important dimension of determining the leverage of the boat (how heavy or light it will feel).
Many scullers just stop once they get their span measurement, but there is a need to go one step further. The distance of the pin from the centerline of the boat needs to be equal on both sides.
In other words:
Span is really not very helpful without also knowing the spread.
This short video will explain how to do both. It was requested by a reader (whose name I cannot find . . . sorry). Thanks greatly!
Have a different method, or got a question or comment? You can leave it below.
Row Slow . . . and get more out of life!
Thanks for the videos, Mike. They are real helpful for me. Some of my assumptions are proving incorrect.
Hi Mike:
Question: I built a rowing shell (cedar strip) 22 feet 4inches long, the spread is 17 and 5/8 inches….my BIG question is…..where do you place the outriggers to give the shell optimum performance? Can you help? Thanks
All the Best
Bruce