Modern row boats require careful design and handiwork from skilled workers; however, that doesn't preclude you from creating your own small craft.
These beautiful yet practical row boats aren't suitable for windy ocean waters, but are great for quiet waters or shallow streams - and these digital plans make assembling them simple!
Basics
Row boats are an everyday feature on British waterways, be they the upper reaches of the Thames where skiffs gracefully slip into docks, or Norfolk Broads where pram dinghies set sail for day trips; row boats offer an ideal way to enjoy nature at leisure while staying active while being part of nature itself. Rowing provides exercise while at the same time taking in sights from nature's journey.
Flat-bottomed boats such as canoes are typically rowed and powered by one or two oars that can be set at different angles to the direction of travel, and capable of accommodating one person and any additional passengers such as children or a picnic basket. When sailing conditions arise, however, these vessels can also set sail.
A row boat's hull shape is designed to balance stability with resistance against water or wind resistance, providing optimal performance in a rowing environment. While all boats may appear similar in shape, there can be subtle variations that have significant bearing on how it rows, turns, and uses its rower's energy.
Home builders have the ability to design a boat tailored specifically to their own needs and abilities. Before searching for plans and materials, it is essential that they first establish what type of vessel they would like.
Alternatively, if you want to start rowing solo and are new at it, an easier and more stable skiff might be ideal as an entry-level boat - allowing you to learn the fundamentals without dealing with heavier oars and more complicated rigging necessary on racing shells.
If your goal is sailing, a wooden rowboat with good sailing lines might be your optimal choice. There are numerous designs to suit individual preferences; Iain Oughtred's Skerry makes for an enjoyable sailing experience when winds are light while Francois Vivier's Elorn and Seil models from Francois Vivier combine sailing with rowing beautifully.
To build a simple rowboat, all that's required are plywood sheets, hardwood strip "rulers," basic tools such as tape measures, hand saws, drills, woodworking planes and C-clamps. Once equipped with these resources and materials, constructing an easily assembled yet fast-rowing rowboat will be both rewarding and fun to use!
Materials
As part of any boat-building project, one of the first considerations when selecting materials is what type of material to use for the hull, deck and seats. Cardboard and duct tape may be cheaper options but lack stability and wave-handling abilities comparable to even small dinghies manufactured to modern safety standards. Plywood or wood options tend to be much sturdier but come at a much higher price tag.
Fiberglass is a commonly-used material in modern boatbuilding, consisting of woven fiberglass cloth, mat and roving bound with resins made up of ingredients found in polyester plastic bottles and epoxy paint. Fiberglass boatbuilding boasts faster turnaround times due to fewer steps needed in its assembly.
Wood is another popular choice among boat builders, particularly mahogany wood which boasts naturally dense density with resistance against moisture and rot, plus easy manipulation via machine tools - making it an extremely flexible material suitable for creating boats.
The Storer Rowboat Plan was adapted from Goat Island Skiff sailboat plans and provides a quick, responsive, and rewarding rowing experience. A novice woodworker can build this rowboat using handsaw, hammer and pliers; once built it can easily accommodate an additional person or picnic gear.
An alternative for beginners looking for something a bit easier may be a Merry Kit, which comes complete with precision-cut parts, an assembly manual, and the entire West System brand epoxy package (epoxy, hardener, fillers and applicators). There is also the Goat Island Skiff kit but this time with reduced windage for easier rowing!
Design
Rowboats provide comfortable rides with efficient yet easy control when used for leisure boating or racing against winds and currents, while their hull design must balance speed, stability and seakeeping factors - often competing factors can create conflicts that call for narrower or wider hulls, respectively - so design compromises must be subtle to meet this goal.
The length of a boat hull should be the primary concern when designing or purchasing one. A longer boat tends to be faster and easier to manage. This is because its theoretical maximum hull speed equals 1.34 times square root of length of its hull from bow to stern.
Another factor is a hull's rocker. Boats with minimal rocker have flat bottoms that make for easier water passage, while those with more significant rocker require additional power to propel. A rudder is also an invaluable asset in helping turn and maintain straight course.
Shapes vary when it comes to hull shapes. To reduce drag and enhance performance, a boat with a flat bottom may sweep upward at both bow and stern for reduced resistance, while one with sheer has an almost vertical bottom - these differences affect trim; which plays an essential part in how efficiently row boats move through waterways.
Many of our wood rowboat plans offer detailed specifications to assist in the building process, which you can find on their individual product pages or by reaching out directly to their designer for additional guidance.
Construction
Row boats are an aesthetically pleasing yet challenging craft to master. To design or construct one successfully, certain measurements need to be considered when designing or building one - such as its span (length between oarlocks), waterline beam width and size/fulness of ends; additionally, how you position and row can have an enormous influence on its performance.
There are two basic strategies for moving a boat across water: either by using one oar, known as sweeping, or two oars - known as sculling. Sculling requires much greater coordination and teamwork compared to sweeping; two rowers must coordinate their strokes perfectly in sync to generate enough power to move the boat. A coxswain or leader of the crew may help synchronize their movements more easily as novice rowers learn the sport more easily.
Row boats come in various forms and sizes, with flat or oval designs being the most common. Rowing has a long tradition in America dating back to 1000 BC as the earliest form of team competition; today it remains an Olympic sport where teams of eight rowers can reach speeds up to 14mph.
To row successfully, boats must be properly trimmed. This involves making adjustments to ensure the boat sits a certain way in the water, using adjustments like those found on a rigger or gear stowage system. Incorrect trimming is often seen among beginning rowers and may make rowing harder or cause it to drag along the water surface.
Designing a row boat involves many key considerations, one being its oars' size and shape. There is a range of oars available ranging from plain wooden sticks to carbon fiber shells; novice users may find ring type more convenient as it allows quick shipping in and out of an oarlock; additionally restraining collars can secure them securely into place.