choosing a racing boat: trade-offs of boat size

want2row · Post by **want2row** » July 22nd, 2007, 1:20 am

A novice rower; lots of endurance, but limited technical abilities. Can easily row the 5k distance for upcoming head race, but not sure whether I should attempt in a racing shell or stick with the practice Maas Aero.

What's the trade-off, time wise (percent of best speed) between racing in a more stable boat which allows a rower to use better technique (and not flip!) versus taking the chance of a faster speed in a lighter boat, but one that will be more difficult for the novice to row with proper technique? Anyone know?

Thanks!

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » July 22nd, 2007, 10:40 am

The slowest rower is still faster than the fastest swimmer.

You would have to find a way to give both an honest run at it. There is also a point in velocity where it may actually be easier to propel the shorter boat than the longer one. In general, shorter boats for slower speeds and longer boats for faster.

Comfort is a huge factor, if you feel unstable in the racing shell then you will waste a lot of energy maintaining balance rather than propelling the system across the water, tire more quickly, and spiral down quickly.

Perhaps stepping to a Maas 24 would be a good happy medium, but once again, it still should be tested for your best speed/effort trade-off.

Bob S. · Post by **Bob S.** » July 22nd, 2007, 3:38 pm

want2row wrote:A novice rower; lots of endurance, but limited technical abilities. Can easily row the 5k distance for upcoming head race, but not sure whether I should attempt in a racing shell or stick with the practice Maas Aero.

What's the trade-off, time wise (percent of best speed) between racing in a more stable boat which allows a rower to use better technique (and not flip!) versus taking the chance of a faster speed in a lighter boat, but one that will be more difficult for the novice to row with proper technique? Anyone know?

Thanks!

Some head races have different categories for racing shells and rough water boats. Have you checked that out for the race you are considering?

If you have already had a lot of practice time in the Aero and the race is soon, you should stick to the Aero. If you want to use a faster boat, it would probably take several months of practice to get anywhere near to racing form.

BobS.

want2row · Post by **want2row** » July 23rd, 2007, 12:15 am

Thanks for good advice. It seems that at a certain point, I'm better off in a familiar, but slower boat, rather than trying something sleeker, and faster, because I'm not ready for it.

In general, assuming rowers of equal abilities, how much faster would a rower go in a racing shell compared to a boat like a Maas Aero? 10%? 50%? 100% ?

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » July 23rd, 2007, 9:59 am

want2row wrote:Thanks for good advice. It seems that at a certain point, I'm better off in a familiar, but slower boat, rather than trying something sleeker, and faster, because I'm not ready for it.

In general, assuming rowers of equal abilities, how much faster would a rower go in a racing shell compared to a boat like a Maas Aero? 10%? 50%? 100% ?

First of all, remember that "faster" is "faster", regardless of "sleekness".

If what you want to know is, which boat would have more drag, then the answer is, it depends on the speed at which it is operating. Displacement hull designs can only be optimized for a narrow range of speeds. i.e. An Aero at 3.5m/s is probably more "sleek" than the racing shell, but the situation would reverse at 5m/s, obviously there would be a point at which they are equal along the way. 10% speed difference would probably be much more than would happen even at the top speeds for a racing 1x.

Regardless, row what you are comfortable in, you will be faster over the course.

Nosmo · Post by **Nosmo** » July 23rd, 2007, 7:23 pm

A more responsive faster boat is good for your technique and is more fun to row. So training (at least some of the time) in a fast boat should help you row faster.

Get into a faster boat and get a coach to help improve your technique. If you are not ready to race in a fast boat, then race the Aero., but you have a long time until the end of the head season to learn to row a real racing shell.

want2row · Post by **want2row** » July 24th, 2007, 1:43 am

Thanks for the very helpful advice. I will make the effort to practice at least once or twice a week in the racing shell but will plan to row my inaugural head race in the Aero. I'd appreciate any more advice, especially how to determine my race pace. I have discovered that technical ability totally trumps aerobic strength at the novice level... at least for me!

coggs · Post by **coggs** » July 24th, 2007, 4:57 pm

I've rowed both my own racing shell and the clubs 24' trainer equiped with an NK speed coach. I'm a moderatly accomplished sculler and the difference between the two is far from 10%. In moderatley rough conditions (say a 5"-7" chop) the speeds are pretty close. Racer is still faster through the water but when you allow time to recover from the inevitable (for me) bobbles & crabs it averages out. In smooth water the racing shell is about 4 seconds faster per 500M at a moderate effort, but in really rough conditions (8"+ chop / white crests) the trainer blows away the racing shell - but in those conditions I'd rather pull an erg out of the boat bay.

Disclaimer - your results may vary. <g>

So which head race are you training for?

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choosing a racing boat: trade-offs of boat size

choosing a racing boat: trade-offs of boat size

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