I was lucky enough to have my coach get relegated to a v hull starcraft with like a 30hp motor. Took our group a bit to get some timing, but the moment we started to actually row like a college team, we'd leave him in the dust on race pieces. I remember sitting there for 2 minutes waiting for this boat to catch up after we finished our piece. My favorite, however, was the long haul for like 40 minutes and just giving a bit of extra pressure, hoping the boat would start to do the same. Sure enough, as we rounded a big bend, everyone else started to get the same idea. Next thing you know, we pulled away from him. What a great feeling. Just a nice day with the wind hitting you, rounding a bend with that gentle bank and watching the bow of the launch drop back out of view. Edit: we usually ran at around 28 strokes on racing pieces. I think that steady day was 24. Again, we weren't that good, but we got some nice improvement, and seeing us finally outpace that v hull was a great feeling!
It's quick but for like 500 metres maximum because they are just rowing awfully. Slow catch, only connected to the water for about 130 cm but bodies moving as though it were 160 cm. Just sit up and push with the legs
Good timing through the stroke cycle. Makes a huge difference for speed. And minimal torso swing before oars hit the water, reduces pre-catch deceleration common to poor rowing. Great crew. One fault, oars #1, #3, #5 perfect sync, but going in a touch ahead of #7. #7 oar
Heavyweights only faster is they are more effective rowers. Brute strength does not equate to speed. Many light schoolboy crews have seen off heavyweight crews, l know.
