Row boats 101

	Utility skiff. The wide flat bottom on this boat makes it stable but hard to move in the water. This is a work boat, not intended for enjoyable rowing. On a boat this beamy, the oarlocks are usually mounted on the gunwales. The fixed seat does not give the benefit of leg power. And it goes backward when you pull on the oars. Good for fishing or utility, but not practical for touring or exercise.
	Scull. Also called a shell. Designed to conform to the rules or racing. These rules require a rear facing position and a sliding set for leg power. The narrow hull is fast but not stable and has no cargo space. If you let go of the oars, you will probably tip over. Rowing this type of boat is good exercise, but not practical for touring. Most rowing clubs use sculls for singles rowing (or "sculling") because most clubs emphasize racing.
	Recreational canoe. A canoe can make an excellent touring rowboat. Canoes move easily through the water and are reasonably stable. Most tandem recreational canoes can be fitted out with drop-in rowing rigs (you'll probably need to remove the center carry thwart). One person rowing can move a canoe faster than two paddlers and with better control.
	Touring rowboat. A touring rowboat is a boat that's intended for enjoyment of the rowing outing itself. Many older designs built as work boats were easy enough to row to make them enjoyable for recreation. To accommodate gunwale-mounted oarlocks these older traditional boats (like the Whitehall depicted here) were somewhat beamy and by today's standards were heavily built. Modern touring designs tend to be narrower and more lightly built with the oarlocks mounted on riggers extending outside the hull.
	For exercise rowing, you do not need a racing style shell. If you use a sliding seat rig, you can get the same quality exercise in a rowing canoe or touring rowboat. The touring boat will be more versatile and easier to use. If you use a FrontRower rig, you will the the same quality exercise plus be able to see what lies ahead, making it more enjoyable. And with hands free rowing, you can combine other interests like photography or fishing while getting your exercise.