Got a double shell for free but I need to fix it up.

[jonp9576]

I was given a little river sea shell double for free last week. It’s in rough shape but I’d say it’s definitely salvageable.

There are a couple of cracks on the bottom. Ive watched a ton of videos on laying fiberglass. Doesn’t seem too hard. Just slop it on, wait a while then sand it down. I got the shell for free so even if i just use it as a learning experience and a stepping stone back into rowing, that would be cool with me.

It came pretty complete with the inserts to row as a single or a double, even with two pairs of riggers. No oars and only one foot stretcher included so I guess I’ll have to source those somewhere.

I haven’t rowed on the water since I was in high school. About 20 years ago. And even then I was always sweeping in an 8.

I’m looking for some tips to get back into rowing from good form videos people recommend to learn how to scull, to tips for getting the boat to and from the river.

[frankieboy]

Seashell is a big heavy boat but tippy particularly when there is only one person rowing (one body of 170lbs instead of 2 so it sits high in the water).
Find a recreational single shell to get some practice in first, Alden 16 or Edon TS515 with the pontoons otherwise I predict it wont end well.

[jackarabit]

If I had a Little River double scull, I’d ballast it for final stability (at the bottom of a big river) or give it to someone to love like only a Little River can be!

[Tsnor]

I haven’t rowed on the water since I was in high school. About 20 years ago. And even then I was always sweeping in an 8.

Strongly recommend you find a club nearby that teaches sculling. How to get in. Launch. Tip and climb back in (or at least not drown with your feet strapped in...). Most clubs can hook you up with a private teacher or group lessons. You will want a chase boat and warm water when you start.

[jonp9576]

Wow, looks like the consensus is, "thank god it was free."

Thanks for the input everyone. Is there really no way I should work on this to get it back in the water?

The mentions about it being unstable, I'm sitting heavy these days, over 250 lbs. I assume that would help the stability.

Am I just grasping at straws here?

[jackarabit]

As a project for the experience, the boat may be worth a gallon of resin and a few strips of fabmat. Certainly your weight will help with displacement but I don’t think it will sit on it’s design waterline unless you row with a friend/passenger or move one rowing station to a more central location. Reattaching slides and riggers to the paperthin inner liner/deck will likely not meet with success. You could get a big Newfie to balance the boat fore and aft. Feed the dog and make it a life companion. Better value for investment imo.

[jonp9576]

As a project for the experience, the boat may be worth a gallon of resin and a few strips of fabmat. Certainly your weight will help with displacement but I don’t think it will sit on it’s design waterline unless you row with a friend/passenger or move one rowing station to a more central location. Reattaching slides and riggers to the paperthin inner liner/deck will likely not meet with success. You could get a big Newfie to balance the boat fore and aft. Feed the dog and make it a life companion. Better value for investment imo.

It does have the ability to be set up with just one seat as a single. That should give me a little better position in the water fore/aft at least.

[jackarabit]

As a project for the experience, the boat may be worth a gallon of resin and a few strips of fabmat. Certainly your weight will help with displacement but I don’t think it will sit on it’s design waterline unless you row with a friend/passenger or move one rowing station to a more central location. Reattaching slides and riggers to the paperthin inner liner/deck will likely not meet with success. You could get a big Newfie to balance the boat fore and aft. Feed the dog and make it a life companion. Better value for investment imo.

It does have the ability to be set up with just one seat as a single. That should give me a little better position in the water fore/aft at least.

I’m sold. I didn’t know the double had an optional location for rigger/seat rails. If the bond between deck and hull at gunnel is sound, you can pull the deck plugs, flip it, and if minimal or no water drains and the odor is no worse than just stale, you got yourself a trainer. I was going to say ‘beater’ but my experience with one Little River single did not encourage me to conclude that that particular boat would survive many seasons of use. For your investment it may serve to get you out on the water for a season or two until you tire of quick and dirty patching and reinforcement. Depending on your experience in sculling boats, you might want to read up on the benefit of sponsons/pontoons attached at the lock ends of the rigger. Good luck with your project.

One additional thought: Frankieboy’s good opinion of the Alden knockabout tubs is well deserved. An Alden 18 double, also easily convertible to single station rowing, might work for you.