open water scull

want2row · Post by **want2row** » May 21st, 2007, 12:27 am

Can anyone please recommend a scull (single or double) which can be used in open (shallow bay) water...? I have heard the name Alden... any comments/advice? Thanks!!

Nosmo · Post by **Nosmo** » May 21st, 2007, 12:46 pm

Maas in CA makes some good ones.

corpsrower · Post by **corpsrower** » May 21st, 2007, 2:38 pm

I have a Maas single that I'm sadly parting with that has supposedly has the ability to row on open water w/o too much difficulty.

want2row · Post by **want2row** » May 21st, 2007, 5:32 pm

Thanks to both of you for the Maas suggestion. May I ask why you are parting with your boat if it makes you sad? Did you ever use your Maas in the open water? Have either of you heard of Echo or Alden boats?
Can a lightweight racing sculler develop bad technique from using an open water boat? Thanks!

Nosmo · Post by **Nosmo** » May 21st, 2007, 5:42 pm

Not familiar with Echo. Alden I think was one of the first open water boats I heard of when I started rowing 25 years ago or so. I have rowed in a poorly designed open water boat once--don't think it was good for technique. However I don't think the Alden or Maas will be bad for you as long as you get in a racing shell now and then. The open water boats don't require the same balance that a racing shell does but they do benefit from good technique. I know a number of good scullers who occasionally race open water--doesn't seem to hurt their technique.

want2row · Post by **want2row** » May 22nd, 2007, 7:21 pm

Thanks for the advice. I'm checking out the Maas and Alden boats. Do people ever buy used ones? Any downside to buying used for a beginner?