Rare sliding seat triple

[blaydone]

As a member of the maintenance committee for the local rowing club, I spend a fair bit of time helping to keep the club's boats in ship-shape condition. I thought you guys might like to see one of the boats we pay special attention to.

Most sliding seat boats on this side of the water have an even number of stations, but this training shell has three. It was built in Germany and is estimated to be 50-55 years old. She is 28 feet long and built of ply with a glass coat (applied because she is handled by many novices and is beached frequently during tours}. She tracks extremely well and has excellent glide and can therefore be rowed comfortably for many hours. Our crew has taken her on many tours of 20-30 km. She has performed well on races of the same length against more modern boats.
These photos were taken this spring after the hull was faired, painted, and varnished. I hope these photos turn out as its my first attempt at picture posting.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid33/pd873d870fb177980921eb0f861e4339d/fd39fef8.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid33/p34b4389f5d5308eadd94877a64cc4712/fd39fefa.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid33/p44714a86cbbf662d988c35e115e11968/fd39fefb.jpg

The tracks and some of the supporting struts have recently been replaced to original specs.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid33/pc27852018bc454ab514a2d3e9645540d/fd39fefd.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid33/p3a33968fb535bc95315d306b625bf02e/fd39feff.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid33/p40947985ad55eaf5b785ccfe1dc07298/fd39ff01.jpg
The riggers are original cast iron. Some of the original bolts have needed replacement this year.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid33/pf3f481e4e998018a60715e0f7f15c189/fd39ff02.jpg

[htom]

Both pictures and boat look fine.

[skuthorp]

She's beautiful! Pity I don't live a few thou. miles closer.

[nedL]

Baydone, She is a real beauty! When I rowed I had the fun position of being the maintenance guy for the boats as well. I remember one race we were at when the Varsity heavy weight eight ran aground on a sandbar while practicing before a race & put a 10' split in the bottom of the boat right along the keel. They all spent the next couple of hours hanging over me looking like a bunch of wounded puppies (that could eat me for breakfast) while I put their boat back together. They all kept asking if the boat was going to be ok & if they'd be able to race that day. Well they did race, and they did win!
As for the triple seat setup, I've never heard of a "triple" catagory in competition. Might it have actually been a trainer for pairs so that the "alternate" can always practice too. That way any two of the three can compete in a race and it never feels like a new guy in the boat. I can't remember if it is/was Harvard or Yale that had a sectional eight with a two seat section that would bolt in the middle. When they went on trips to compete they would take the extra section with them so that the two alternates could practice with the boat as well. It has the definate advantage that the boat never has to get used to a new guy in it.

[ 10-08-2002, 08:21 AM: Message edited by: nedL ]

[Bruce Hooke]

Beautiful boat! Thanks.

[garland reese]

Absolutely stunning boat! You maintain her very well indeed. Is her stern built with an integral skeg? I can't see a skeg in the pictures. I've the "honor" of being our club's equipment manager. It seems a never ending task, as we are new to the sport with mostly novice crews and few boats.
We only have one wooden shell. A double that is in need of some tlc at the moment.

Patching up a 10' split in the field, and winning in the boat..................you guys are my heros :D

[KimApel]

A triple of roughly similar proportions (though different design) used to race in the annual Catalina to Marina de Rey rowing race (southern California) across 32 miles of open ocean

[carlg]

I think the triple in the Catalina race was built by Gordie Nash in Sausalito. I had one of his singles for a while. The triple was fi####s.

[blaydone]

Thanks for the great replies. I'm glad the photos came out OK.
nedL: I've had similar experiences with emergency repairs. On regatta days, I practically carry a mini-workshop in the back of the van to cope with the incredible range of mishaps, or just plain worn out stuff.
Your theory about doubles and alternate training may be right (note the extended track between the number one and two positions), though she would be a real heavyweight double. When we race her, it is usually against 4's or quads in long distance recreational or touring divisions. Most of the time though, she's just a very comfortable touring boat.