The propulsion unit held by the lady is inserted through a slit in a special kayak. Working the pedals (above her hand) causes the two flexible rubber fins to move side-to-side in opposite directions. The boat is pushed forward by the same mechanism that propells a swimmer using swim fins.
This unit was demonstrated at OWRC in November 2005 by Jim McCarty [Mccartyj@mac.com] and Betsy Kimmel, and it is quite amazing!
This is a unit that can be attached to rowboats and canoes with widths less than 36 inches. As the name implies, you face forward. As with a conventional shell you pull the oars back and push with your legs. However the seat (and thus your body) remains fixed, while the force exerted by your legs is transmitted to the oars via a pulley system.
The ROCAT is an open-water rowing catamaran. It is claimed to be stable in very rough water and easy to transport (because it folds up). There are many more pictures on their web site, some of much rougher water than you see here (I didn't use them because it's hard to see the boat clearly). The construction and engineering problems and solutions, documented on the site, are alone well worth the visit.
(Sept 06)
Not exactly a rowing boat. This trimaran is powered by engines fueled by "biodiesel", any mix of animal and plant fats recycled from MacDonald's et al. Built by a group from New Zealand, they hope to get sponsors to pay for a race around the world. According to the NY Times (Sunday the 24th of September) they are a little short of cash, $500,000; now is your chance to give.
Your webmaster discovered the boat as he was rowing past the Sausalito fuel dock on (approx) Sept 7, 2006. The huge "wings" and ethereal shape made him wonder if he had been raptured. He wasn't, it was for real, and he continues to maintain your OWRC site.
Without outriggers it is a good shell for experienced rowers. We have one at the OWRC; see Ellen Braithwaite, Dan Thatcher, or ask at the desk.
This boat is the Whitehall Spirit Solo 14: slide seat, SOLARKOTE thermoformed hull. It's light compared to a wooden Whitehall, but still weighs about 150 lbs. The builders claim no maintance, etc. You can check it out at: WhiteHallSolo.
Doug Gilmour, who has rowed classic wooden dories in several of our regattas, has one of these. Will he row it in the next regatta?
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