Electronic Pitch Meter (Nielsen Kellerman): Product Review

Looking to get the pitch of your rigger correct? Then you need to have a pitch meter. Pure and simple.

There are several selections of meters on the market, ranging from the basic to the technical. The new Electronic Pitch Meter by NK (Nielsen Kellerman) is somewhere in the middle. The following text and video is a review of the meter.

What I Like

There are several things about the meter I like. It fits in your pocket with no sharp ends that can really get your attention. It is lightweight. Seems durable. And it can be used to measure more than just a rigger’s pitch. For example, it does a great job reading the angle of a footstretcher.

I especially like the “hold” button which allows you to find the pitch and then “hold” the measurement so that you can read the screen at your convenience. This is especially handy when it might too dark or too sunny to read the display.

The buttons are easy to press, and the meter fits right in the palm of your hand. I also like the accuracy and precision of the meter, and having readings in tenths of a degree is a plus.

What I Didn’t Like

There was little that I did not like about this meter, but a few items that I want to note. First, rowing is a water sport and often electronics and water do not blend well. Although I have not had an issue with this yet, I would be very hesitant to take the meter in a launch or use it outside on a rainy day.

Second, I am pretty tough on tools, as I would guess most coaches/Riggers are. Although the meter has been durable so far, I am not sure how it will handle life in a tool box, or a drop from a shell onto concrete. It does comes with a small case that offers a little protection. In all, something to consider.

MaxRigging Buying Advice

If you are looking to take your rigging to a new level then this would be a tool to consider. It does offer some convenience and accuracy that older manual meters do not. The compactness is also a nice benefit. However if you are just starting out in rigging or are on a tight budget you may want to consider a simple mechanical meter first.

• Electronic Pitch Meter
• Nielsen Kellerman
• Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: $85.00 US

Is Your Rowing Understood?

You row.

Maybe you pull on an oar (or oars). Possibly you steer. Or you coach . . . or rig . . . or are an involved parent. A lot of variations of the same theme, but when you boil it down—you row.

Is the reason why you row clear?

I am asking if others understand why you row? Do your parents know why you sweat and train? Does your roommate know why you get up early or come home late? Is it clear to friends exactly why your hands are covered with calluses? Does your spouse, kids, family get it?

This is important—really important! Why?

If you are reading this you are passionate about your version of rowing. If not, then why would you be here? And if you are passionate sooner or later you will need the support of those around you as you pursue that passion.

• Chasing the sunrise or sunset? You will need support.
• In search of speed? You will need support.
• Driving your child to practice at 5:15 am. Support (and coffee).
• Coaching a boat going for gold? Support. Support. Support.

People are a lot more supportive when they understand the reason why you are doing what you do. Support can make the difference between reaching a goal or missing it.

Have you told them why?

Have you told yourself? It just might make your rowing better.

image: Co Rentmeester

For more on this topic try these:

• Bored With Your Rowing? Five Ways to Get Your Zing Back
• Rowing Slow

A Simple Trick to Get Fasteners Tight on Your Rigger

Many fasteners on rowing shells only need to be gently tightened. For example hard-torque is not required to tighten the nuts that hold a rigger to a hull, or to keep a footstretcher from moving. Snug yes, hard no!

Yet there are a few rigger bolt/nut combinations that need to be very securley tightened due to the nature of the forces on them. If they aren’t hard tightened—they will come lose. One example is the fastener that secures the pin to a rigger, or a bracket that locks an insert inside of a rigger tube.

There is a simple trick to get these fasteners tight. It is called a “two-hand squeeze.”

The image below shows how most folks would tighten a bracket. Using two wrenches they would push their two hands together—trying to torque down the fastener. This method works fine if you have the hand strength of the Incredible Hulk. But most of us mere-mortal rower types do not, and that is where the “two-hand squeeze” comes in.

By interlocking the fingers of the both hands, as shown in the next image, and then squeezing the hands together (instead of pushing them together) you can generate significantly more torque and get that fastener tight. Besides generating more torque this method also can save some valuable knuckle skin if a wrench were to slip off of the fastener.

You can generate even more torque by sliding the hands to the ends of the wrenches. This system also works well, very well, when loosening fasteners.

Like the tip? Let me know with a rating below. And if you have others to share pop them in the comment box.

Which One Is Better . . .

. . . rowing or mountain biking? One is better than the other . . .

Both are pretty neat sports. But let’s take a peak for a moment at the two—give you a comparison—and then you decide which is better.

Measuring the Work-Through in a Rowing Shell (Basic Rigging Video)

Work-through is a very interesting measurement, for two reasons. First, it helps determine the position of a rower’s hips in respect to the oarlock pin. Second, there are numerous ways to measure it.

The following video shows my way to measure the work-through of a rigger.

Hope you find it helpful.

Is Your Waterbottle Sinking Your Shell?

. . . it very well could be!

Casey Baker, who has been featured here before, recently wrote to me about damage to the bottom of shells. He has been noticing it due to the hard Nalgene water bottles that many rowers are using. Casey is currently the Southern rep for Resolute Racing Shells and sees a lot of boats at all the races he attends.

According to Casey what causes the problem is that during practices rowers store the bottles in the bottom of the boat. The bottles tend to roll around and if there is any sand or grit the bottle can cause wear that actually goes through the inner skin of the boat.

This can especially be a problem in wade-in launching situations, and also may be an issue in saltwater programs since salt can act as an abrasive, like sand.

A simple solution that Casey recommends is to put a sock around your water bottle. Another is to get a padded water bottle holder and clip it to the heels of your feet.  Pad it and/or prevent it from moving as much as possible.

Casey (and I)  hope this keeps some of you from needing unnecessary repairs!

Thanks Casey!