Scout Rig Description
We developed the Scout Rig in direct response to feedback generated by
the instructors using our Row Wing at the Boy Scouts Aquatic Center. It
is a simple, sturdy design built expressly for converting canoes.
Especially compared to buying a single use rowing shell it is an
economical way to offer sculling to campers and facilitate earning a
sliding seat rowing merit badge. The Scout Rig will allow you to row
your canoe as a single, double, or with passengers and pets. Many
customers combine exercising with fishing (row trolling).
The primary difference between the Scout Rig and the Row Wing is that the
Scout Rig has two 'riggers' and is meant to sit on the gunwales of the
canoe and support the weight of the rower free and clear of the floor of
the canoe. Our legendary monorail, the same as used in the Row Wing, is
certainly strong enough to serve as a cantilevered support for the
footstretchers. We utilize a 1.25" square 6061 aluminum tube extruded
from our own custom die to form the dual riggers. The square shape offers
a number of design benefits. For one, the oarlock pin can be bolted directly
to the rigger. We use the same fiberglass reinforced nylon oarlock as on our
Row Wing and as found on the very best racing shells worldwide. The integral
pitch adjustment feature of these locks allow for fine-tuning without moving
the pin. The square rigger also allows us to implement a simple clamping
technique to grab the gunwales of a canoe. A padded stainless steel U-bolt
saddles the square rigger and facilitates a clamping bracket to be tightened
against the protruding lip of the gunwale cap. Tightening is by means of two
hand-knobs (no tools!). The clamping bracket is designed to grasp both thin
and thick gunwale caps. This system is fully adjustable to fit the majority
of canoes on the market today. A self adhesive, high coefficient of friction,
rubber pad is affixed to the underside of the rigger. This protects your
gunwale cap from marring and assists in securing the rig. The dual riggers
also allow us to mount the tension stays outboard of the hull.
Our reliable footstretchers are the same as found on the Row Wing. We combine
durable weatherproof ABS footpads with comfortable velcro straps and plastic
heelcups on a fully adjustable track. Our seat rollers are the same six top
quality stainless steel ball bearing and delrin assemblies found on the Row Wing.
The seat top is vacuum formed from durable weatherproof ABS to provide years of
maintenance free comfort. The comfortable shape of the seat is the result of
`butt-testing' by a generation of competitive rowers.
Our goal was to produce a reliable, economical rig with fewer parts exclusively
for canoe sculling. The Scout Rig is that and much more.
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