Interesting rowing rig.

Looks like it can take on some knarly swells. 

http://www.rocat.co.uk/galleries/atsea.htm

 A really weird rowing setup---you'd build some thighs in a hurry.  But always watching where you've been........

Cool looking craft, but I'm with Ter on this. I like to see where I'm going, not where I've been.
I was talking to a guy who was rowing a wherry. He asked me a bunch of questions about yakkin'. He was thinking of getting one, because he didn't really like to have to keep twisting to look back over his shoulder.
Myself, I like to row in a driftboat, going downstream in a river. You are still going forward downstream, but slowing your drift and with excellent control. On flat water, I like to go forward. Sometimes I row my mini-drifter on lakes and troll, but I'm leaning more to using my Ultimate 12 for lakes, now.
To really enjoy rowing on flat water, I think I would need some sort of ridiculous device (reminiscent of stuff concocted by Rube Goldberg) that allows you to row normally, but that propels the boat forward.

That just looks like fun!

I was gonna say, that thing looks like it hauls ASS!!!

Z

I was impressed with the offshore pics provided in the link I posted above.  No way I'd be in the ocean on a swell day like that!  

The oar blades look like snow shovels. 

Couldn't it be rigged with reverse hinge paddles? I've seen paddles like that before, where the person could face the proper way.

I was impressed with the offshore pics provided in the link I posted above.  No way I'd be in the ocean on a swell day like that!  

Come on Newbie, Nut Up!   

I was impressed with the offshore pics provided in the link I posted above.  No way I'd be in the ocean on a swell day like that!  

Come on Newbie, Nut Up!   

nothing some ginger candies couldn't cure

That is a neat design. Wouldn't be to hard to mod up for some serious fishen either.

The idea about rowing the opposite direction is to get your whole body onto your rowing stroke. You push with your legs and get your mid section behind your arms. I think it's a lot more efficient and wouldn't be surprised if they could go faster and longer than a kayak. All I see keeping that watercraft from being a true speed demon is a sliding seat.

And Insayn, Ginger candy is the ticket..

Z

I'm talking about articulated oars.  You still use your whole body, but face forward.

I'm talking about articulated oars.  You still use your whole body, but face forward.

hm, I don't think I've ever seen that. Any links?

Z

I'm talking about articulated oars.  You still use your whole body, but face forward.

hm, I don't think I've ever seen that. Any links?

Z

Whoops!  I thought you meant a skulling shell.  Cool pic anyway.

Guy in the front is using normal oars

Guy in the back is using articulated or bow facing oars

Wow, very cool. Thanks for the pic Lee.

Z