Oarlocks question

[sander]

Hi all,

Would any of you recommend Magik MK1 oarlocks over standard ones on a single scull?



I heard that it makes little difference for an experienced rower. Someone else said it would increases the probability of catching a crab. I am an experienced rower. If it makes a difference, on some days there are nasty waves on our lake.

All advice is appreciated!

Sander

[Tinus]

I heard that it makes little difference for an experienced rower.

I would say that it would be beneficial especially to an experienced rower.

The effect of the oarlock is just a detail and it is only the more experienced rower who works on perfection. The less experienced rower is still unaware of many details.

What I understand is that these oarlocks only seem to help to some and not everyone. Apparently not everyone has the same amount of inconvenience from the backlash due to the gap between the oar sleeve and the oarlock.

[Nosmo]

Do a search for MK1 on www.rowingillustrated.com I recall there were a number of discussions about them. they also seemed to be popular for a while but not so much anymore.

My understanding is that they are very helpful on starts, and they wear out collars more quickly. Also the first 10K or so will feel stiff. I bought a pair as a present for my wife a while ago, but she refused to use them. One of these days I'll get around to trying them.

[Snail Space]

Just curious: what benefit are they meant to give?

Cheers,
Dave.

[Byron Drachman]

Just curious: what benefit are they meant to give?

Cheers,
Dave.

Hi Dave,

Here is what they say:

http://www.magikrowing.nl/informatie_item1.htm

I was tempted to buy a pair and try them out but I never got around to it. Uninhibited by any first hand information, I am therefore able to speak freely on the subject:

At the rowing illustrated forum, if I remember correctly, some people liked them. Others said they didn't like the slight loss of control when squaring or feathering because the springs in the oarlock did it for you. And some people did say that they caused extra wear on the collars. The extra wear wouldn't bother me because collars and wear plates are cheap to replace.

I'll be curious to hear a report from Nosmo when he checks them out.

added later: I found the thread at rowingillustrated:

http://www.rowingillustrated.com/boards ... ock#p28117

Byron

[sander]

Thanks for the link, and the discussion!

[sander]

Thanks for the link, and the discussion!

A long time ago, I rowed about 1500m in a race without noticing one of my oarlocks wasnt closed. Only when I looked to my left and accidentally noticed, did I get nervous, and quickly lost on my competitors ...

[Byron Drachman]

Hi Sander,
My first year of rowing I went out in a double with an experienced rower. We took a few strokes to get away from the dock. He then called "way enough" and had us check the gates. He said even if you clearly remember tightening the gates at the dock, part of the process of leaving the dock is checking the gates again once you have left the dock. That stuck with me is now a habit.
Byron

[Rockin Roland]

I used them 5 days a week for about 2 years duration.

They have some advantages over conventional gates but are a compromise in other areas. They improve the appearance of your boat and allow for a quicker and more secure placement of the oar into the gate.

Rowing with them in windy conditions and rough water is an advantage as the oars move around less in the oarlocks allowing you to relax the arms more than usual in such conditions. Racing starts are better with them than conventional gates and the catches feel more precise.

On the negative side more emphasis is needed around the back turn as these gates tend to favour catches more than the finish.

I only stopped using them because the tension arms on the gates wore grooves into my oar sleeves so much so that they needed to be re-sleeved.

First impression upon going back to conventional gates was the immediate sesitivity felt by the oars. That's not a bad thing though as I now feel more in touch with what the boat is doing. This is the main reason for not using them again.

If you use Croker Oarlocks with Crocker oars then you probably don't need them as the sleeves and gates are designed to fit one another perfectly anyway.