If I ordered a 16 Skua with the sliding seat option would I be able to row it faster than from the fixed seat?
Answer. No. The extra power of a sliding seat and 9′-10′ sculls will not make a 16 foot boat go any faster. Speed in a displacement (non-planing) craft is determined by waterline length: the longer the waterline, the greater the speed potential. Skua is optimized for efficient, long distance, fixed seat rowing. Experiments have shown that there is a point of diminishing returns regarding length when designing for speed in open, fixed seat craft. With a single rower that point is around 16 feet. Beyond that length any potential performance gains are increasingly offset by increases in weight, wetted surface (friction) and windage.
Related Questions
- Your literature states that your Skua dominated the Fixed Seat Open-Water Racing circuit in the mid-1990s. Why haven we heard much about Skuas winning races lately?
- How large should a child be before being able to sit in the fixed seat belt in the rear seat and not need a booster cushion or child seat?
- If I ordered a 16 Skua with the sliding seat option would I be able to row it faster than from the fixed seat?
