Rowing-boat's forward gear

[Scylax]

Any information please on a mechanism which converts the normal rowing action into forward thrust ?. The boat moves forward in the direction of the rower's vision ; is this mechanism energy efficient ?

[Clanad]

I've not seen such a device, but, since normal rowing is, itself inefficient in the extreme, due to slippage, friction in the locks, resistance of the water to the hull co-efficient and other factors, any additional mechanical device is going to lower efficiency even further... in my opinion...

[kempie]

There are several devices employing a range of mechanisms to achieve forward-facing rowing...

http://www.forwardfacingrowingsystem.com/whati s.htm
http://www.frontrower.com/aboutfrontrower.htm
http://www.ez-row.com/products.htm

[Scylax]

Thank you, Clanad. Logic tells me that you are 100% right, but I did see such a device in S. Africa, and have wondered ever since if this was just a gimmick, or did it have enough pros to outweigh the cons. Now I know. Thanks again.

[kempie]

View the simple linkage mechanism in more detail from this 1991 UK patent...

http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?IDX=GB2233946& CY=gb&LG=en&DB=EPODOC&QPN=GB2233946

[bazmoore]

just turn the seat to face the opposite way
bingo

[markja]

wing mirrors?