Flat or open water single-person rowing shell

Abstract

A rowing shell for recreational and/or competitive use on flat or rough water. The shell includes a sealed and waterproof hull and attachments. The hull and attachments are sleek and streamlined in design, and are formed and contoured so as to minimize water and wind resistance. The hull includes a slightly upturned bow, a flat mounting surface on which a winged outrigger assembly is removably attached to provide support for oarlocks and a substantially flat deck in the vicinity of a rower's seating area. This allows water entering the craft to exit without impeding efficient operation. The winged outrigger assembly is mounted to the hull at the bow side of the rower's seating position. The forward portion of the outrigger assembly is tapered to blend with, and conform substantially to, the fore portion contours of the hull and consist of two arcuately shaped oar outrigger arms integrally formed with the body of the outrigger assembly.

1 . In combination, a rowing shell for recreational and/or competitive use on flat or rough water including the following, 
 a sealed and waterproof hull and attachments wherein the hull and attachments are sleek and streamlined in design, and formed and contoured so as to minimize water and wind resistance,    the hull including a slightly upturned bow, a flat mounting surface on which a winged outrigger assembly is removably attached to provide support for oarlocks and a substantially flat deck in the vicinity of a rower's seating area that allows water entering the craft to exit without impeding efficient operation, and    the winged outrigger assembly mounted to the hull at the bow side of the rower's seating position and with the forward portion of the outrigger assembly tapered to blend with, and conform substantially to, the fore portion contours of the hull and consist of two arcuately shaped oar outrigger arms integrally formed with the body of the outrigger assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  additionally including oarlocks attached to the winged outrigger arms by means of plates that fit into receiver boxes cast into the ends of the outrigger arms and with each outrigger arm solid, planar and gradually tapering toward its free end.  
   
   
       3 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  wherein the recessed portion of the hull deck aft of the outrigger assembly is substantially flat and provides for the attachment of a sliding seat and track assembly whereby the combination allows the passage and exit of water entering the seating area.  
   
   
       4 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  wherein the surface of said hull deck includes recessed footwells contoured to conform to the shape of the rower's feet to minimize the retention of water.  
   
   
       5 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  additionally including a footboard assembly removably and adjustably attached to said hull deck and mounted to the gunwales or rear deck of the hull to provide support for the rower's feet and is contoured to minimize obstruction to water passing through the seating area.  
   
   
       6 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  wherein the winged outrigger assembly is permanently attached and is integrally formed with the fore portion contours of the hull.  
   
   
       7 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  wherein the hull is constructed of a solid foam core material such as, but not limited to, expanded polystyrene, over which is applied fiber reinforced plastic material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  wherein the hull is constructed as a molded, hollow and sealed shell of fiber reinforced plastic material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite plastic.  
   
   
       9 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  wherein the bottom surface of the hull is substantially flat in the lateral and longitudinal dimensions tapering to the vertical surfaces of the gunwales using smooth curving transition surfaces.  
   
   
       10 . The rowing shell of  claim 1  wherein the bottom surface of the hull is deeply curved in a manner so as to minimize hydrodynamic drag and maximize hull speed.  
   
   
       11 . An outrigger assembly for mounting to the hull of a rowing shell at the bow side of the seating area of the rower and with the outrigger assembly tapered to blend with, and conform substantially to, the fore portion of the hull and including two arcuately shaped oar outrigger arms integrally formed with the body of the outrigger assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The outrigger assembly of  claim 11  wherein said outrigger assembly is constructed of a solid foam core material such as, but not limited to, expanded polystyrene, over which is applied fiber reinforced plastic material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite plastic.  
   
   
       13 . The outrigger assembly of  claim 11  wherein said outrigger assembly is constructed as a molded, hollow or open shell of fiber reinforced plastic material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite plastic.  
   
   
       14 . The outrigger assembly of  claim 11  wherein said outrigger assembly is attached to a preexisting rowing shell or boat.