What evidence exists that lighter shells are faster?

[jamesg]

Rowing out of synch is impossible, the boats are too short, and we need them to go straight.

[frankencrank]

Then there's this:

http://www.worldrowing.com/news/synchro ... -move-boat

That is interesting. I can't imagine getting a crew to actually do that even if it demonstrated improvement. I am not sure their explanation is totally correct. I thought the idea of putting the cox in the middle of the boat and having the two halves asynchronous had potential merit. Got to admit this data does validate how Paul Quinn changed our technique to reduce this variation. He changed the return from a quick release and slow at the catch (what it looks like the British crew is doing) to slow at the release and quick at the catch (this change should result in a lower top speed and higher lowest speed).

[Stelph]

In 2006 Stephen Seiler made a nice powerpoint survey of One Hundred and Fifty Years of Rowing Faster. Pages 31-32 deal with drag forces on the boat. There is a formula at the bottom half of page 32 for the effect of boat weight on speed. In fact, it's the lumped weight of boat, rowers and oars that matters.

Thank you for that link. Very interesting. On the pages 31-32 he give the physics of rowing as a reference. http://eodg.atm.ox.ac.uk/user/dudhia/ro ... eight.html
Section 7 discusses the effects of dead weight. Here he shows the effects of an extra 10 kg in an 8 would slow it .6 sec in a 6 minute race, or 4 m difference. There is only one problem, he uses constant propulsion in his calculations. So, the question remains unanswered. The slowing effect of weight is small. Is the slowing effect of increased variation of speed smaller or bigger? That still remains unanswered to me.

I emailed this author regarding some issues I had with his assumptions in comparing ergometers to shells. I will mention this to him also.

Section 8 does talk about the effect of boat weight on boat speed - interestingly it suggests a 21kg single for a 75 kg sculler

http://eodg.atm.ox.ac.uk/user/dudhia/ro ... ction%205).

Ive wondered before if anyone has tried doing a couple of timed runs in a 1x and done half with an extra 5kg weight in the boat to see if there is any tangible effect

One advantage of a lighter boat is its easier to carry it to and from the water

[mict450]

Common sense?

[frankencrank]

Common sense?

That is not evidence. Common sense suggests the earth is flat and you are safer with a gun in the house.

[jackarabit]

Bloody stir sticks are a lot of trouble! Could it be that an entire crew, required to genuflect at a shrine containing Francesco Moser’s TT wheels (but no frame) prior to pushing off the float, might produce smoother transitions run to check? I don’t know but take it on faith that the power of postulative geeking will prevail.

[frankencrank]

Then there's this:

http://www.worldrowing.com/news/synchro ... -move-boat

I am surprised (as they were) that synchronicity made a difference. However, the combination of synchronicity and reduced variation (heavier boat) should be faster as long as the distance is long enough to make up for the longer time it would take to get up to speed. Putting a little lead on the keel might help with set up also.