Boat handling Guidelines for
Hampton Roads Rowing Club Members
Please ensure that there is absolute quiet when boats are being moved in, around and out of the Boathouse. Concentrate on what you are doing and think about the maneuvers the boat will have to make. Look after the equipment because
You may not take out any boat in the Boathouse without permission.
All boats require you to have shown competence and to have passed specific skill tests administered by the Head Coach and Boat House Captain.
Taking the Boats out of the House
A.Level One Sculls;
The Echo
Usually needs 2 people to carry it the first time you use it. Make sure people are towards the ends of the boat, lift it carefully up to waist height and negotiate past the riggers of the other boats until you have a clear space. Then hoist it on to opposite shoulders – one person at one end on the opposite shoulder from the other person at the other end.
Tall and strong men can often manage it above heads with arms locked. Get it off the sliding bogies by finding the midpoint of the weight of the boat, putting your hands across and lift the boat up to about your waist, carrying it out past the riggers of the other boats. Then hoist it to your shoulders and then above your head.
The Three Aldens;
Women need to do it in pairs. Carefully lift the boat off the racks, negotiate the other boats – you may find it easier to tilt the boat as mush as 90 degrees to get through the narrow spaces. Again, once out in the open bay, hoist the boat on to opposite shoulders.
The Grey whale;
Designated for the 210lb plus people.
If you are tall enough, get 2 boxes and position them so that you can step up and easily step down while supporting the boat above your head. Keep the arms locked and watch for the riggers of the other boats. You may have to tilt the boat down on your outside shoulder. Walk to the open bay and then straighten your arms so that the boat is level and above your head.
Alternately, you can use the hoists. If you are on your own, attach the scull frame securely. Slide the feet of the hoist into position under the Echo and wind the frame up to the required height. Lock the handle whenever you stop winding. Slowly pull the feet away from the racks until you have enough room to lower the boat without hitting the riggers of any other boats. Wind it down to the height you require. Lock the handle. Walk under the boat and lift it up off the scull frame and lock your elbows. Walk it out level avoiding any riggers.
If you have a helper, use both hoists and wind both arms up evenly and carefully to the required height, move the feet in, lift the boat off the racks, pull the hoists out and lower to the requisite height. Be aware that one of the hoists is looser than the other so watch that the boat is level and always lock the handles.
B. Level Two and above;
You will have passed the skills tests and usually are supervised for the first time you use these boats.
The J Kelly is the Level Two single scull situated in the back right racks. You need to be under 185lbs. Men will be able to lift it out above heads. Many of the women will still require to get help to carry it out, and with a partner, will take it out at shoulder height. You may require to tilt it to get past the other boats but once in the open, bay sit the boat on opposite shoulders and proceed carefully.
The Peinart and the Drew Harrison are currently up high. Again, for your first session you need to be properly supervised in taking it out. If you are tall enough, you can use the boxes, if not use the hoists as detailed before. Please be very careful not to hit the other boats. You can rest these boats on one shoulder, side of your head, the top of your head or lock your arms.
C. The Crew boats;
Do not talk, listen to the cox, think where you need to be and be in the right place. Follow the cox’s instructions. The cox will communicate what and how things are to be done. They may not necessarily use the same terminology so be ready to react correctly. Experienced coxes only may take out the Mace, Vespoli and Hudson. If your cox is not experienced enough for the boat you may not take it out – use a lower level boat.
Putting the boats on to the water.
Slowly and carefully lower the boats on to the water. The bigger boats need to be kept level but for the sculls, you can put the bow ball down on the water first so that you can pay particular attention to lowering the stern section with the skag. Make sure you are holding the boat out far enough so that no part of the boat can bump against the dock.
You must wear socks and may not wear shoes in any boat. If you take your shoes into the boat make sure they are not tracking in dirt and put them well clear of the foot stretchers. Make sure that the side of the boat will not catch on the dock before you get in and hold the boat off from the barnacles. Step in with both feet and sit down.
Getting out of boats;
Make sure the side of the boat is not hard up against the side of the dock as the barnacles will scratch the boat badly. Step up on the high supported part of the boat and step out on to the dock with one foot and bring the other foot beside. Never put one foot on the dock while still sitting in the boat, you are pulling the boat on to the barnacles.
Putting the boat down on slings.
Make sure the stern is towards the Boathouse first. The small slings are for the singles and the heavier boats need to go on the bigger slings.
Check that the boat’s weight will be evenly distributed on the slings so divide the boat into thirds and place the slings accordingly. Make sure no rigger is resting on the wooden arm of slings. Check that the boat is secure before moving away. Be careful in windy conditions – you can tie the boat down on to the slings if needed.
Boats going back into the house
Club boats must go in stern first so that the next user will be able to put the boat down at the docks and scull away - as opposed to having to back out.
If help is available, use it. Make sure all large boats are being supported on the ribs. Where the racking system does not allow this totally, ensure that the middle ribs are supported. All the riggers should be neatly lined up with other boats in the same racking system.
Oars and sculls;
Carry them with the spoons to the front. Place them down where they will not impede others’ movements or obstruct other boats. Always place them carefully in the swivels at their narrowest points and slide the collars up to the gates.
For washing, oars should be rested in the crook of a sling with the handles down towards the ground and the spoons higher. Clean the handles with disinfectant. Do not lean oars up against the wall.
Oars are hung up in their sets of eight and the sculls are hung up in their respective pairs i.e. port and starboard together with the Level one sculls closest to the White Board. Use the correct level of sculls for the boat for the boat you are using.
The bigger boats have priority in equipment because they contain the most Club members. Be aware of which other boats are going out and take the equipment you are allowed.
Turn off the hose, hang up the towels and leave the place tidier than you found it.
It is the responsibility of every Club Member to know and abide by the rules and regulations.
If you accidentally damage any equipment or notice problems developing,
1.Report it to the Boat Captain – Scott Smith– by sending him a detailed email to scott@huntclubconsulting.com
2. Write it up on the White Board for other users to see
3. If the boat is unusable let our Web Master Nickbd@mail.com
Serious incidents on the water eg collisions with other users, obstacles etc must have an Incident Report filled in and sent to the President Thomas.cholis@chkd.org