Rowlock
Arowlock[1](UK:/ˈrɒlək/), sometimesspur(due to the similarity in shape and size),oarlock(American English)[2]orgate,is a brace that attaches anoarto aboat.When a boat is rowed, the rowlock acts as afulcrumfor the oar.[3]
On ordinary rowing craft, the rowlocks are attached to thegunwales.In the sport ofrowing,the rowlocks are attached tooutriggers(often just called "riggers" ), which project from the boat and provide greater leverage. In sport rowing, the rowlocks are normally U-shaped and attached to a vertical pin which allows the rowlock to pivot around the pin during the rowing stroke. They additionally have a locking mechanism (properly known as "the gate" ) across the top of the "U" to prevent the oar from unintentionally popping out of the rowlock.
In some, largely older, strict terminologies, a rowlock is a U-shaped cut-out in the topstrakeof a boat (usually the wash-strake). In older texts, the U-shaped metal fitting may be called an "oar crutch", a usage which is largely obsolete.[4]: 213–217 [5]
An alternative pivot point for oars aretholepins that the shaft of the oar nestled between. Single thole pins may be used when the oars have holes cut into the loom, which then sits over/around the thole pin.[6]
Sport rowing
[edit]In sport rowing oarlocks were originally brass or bronze and open (no gate). With the advent of modern materials oarlocks are now injection moulded plastic and precision made to minimize play (slop) between the oar collar and the oarlock. The most recent sport racing oarlocks have a spring loaded feature to keep the oar collar firmly against the pin at all times.
Oarlocks are technical pieces of equipment in sport rowing, holding the oar shaft and therefore the oar blade at the correct angle in the water to ensure optimum performance.
Heraldry
[edit]
The Norwegian municipalities ofFosnes,RadøyandTjømehave rowlocks on theircoats of arms.A rowlock is also used in the coat of arms ofHailuoto,Finland,to symbolise the maritime economy of the island municipality; the coat of arms isblazonedas "Azurea rowlockargent."[7][8]A type of rowlock is also featured in thecanting armsofHankasalmi,alluding to the municipality's name (hankain= rowlock,salmi=strait).[9]
References
[edit]- ^"rowlock Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary".Retrieved14 January2017.
- ^"Oarlock - definition and common misspellings".Retrieved14 January2017.
- ^Dudhia, Anu."Basic Physics of Rowing".Physics of Rowing.Oxford University Department of Physics.Retrieved17 October2021.
- ^Admiralty Manual of Seamanship(1941 ed.). London: HMSO. 1937.
- ^"R".Practical Boat Owner.11 November 2014.Retrieved19 October2023.
- ^Captain Dennis Robinson FNI, Master Mariner
- ^"Sisäasiainministeriön vahvistamat kaupunkien, kauppaloiden ja kuntien vaakunat 1949-1995 I:8 Hailuoto".Kansallisarkiston digitaaliarkisto(in Finnish).RetrievedMarch 15,2021.
- ^Suomen kunnallisvaakunat(in Finnish). Suomen Kunnallisliitto. 1982. p. 129.ISBN951-773-085-3.
- ^Suomen kunnallisvaakunat(in Finnish). Suomen Kunnallisliitto. 1982. p. 130.ISBN951-773-085-3.