Forward-facing rowing for canoes and rowboats
Forward-facing "hands-free" rowing.
Ron Rantilla makes the revolutionary new FrontRower™ rowing system for installation in canoes and rowboats. The patented system is not only forward facing, but it lets you row hands free. It gives you all the power and exercise quality of conventional (rear-facing sliding-seat) rowing with no twisting around to see where you are going. And it frees up your hands for doing other things like taking pictures or using binoculars.
"It's a first-class rig, ingeniously put together, for serious rowers."
- WoodenBoat Magazine
"It's a first-class rig, ingeniously put together, for serious rowers."
- WoodenBoat Magazine
The FrontRower™ rowing system is very easy to use. You row it facing forward, seated comfortably in a padded seat with a backrest. The easiest way to row is by pushing on the pedals with your feet. The oars lift, dip and feather automatically. You steer by taking longer strokes on one side.
At leisurely cruising speeds you can power it with either your feet or your hands. With very little effort you can travel faster and with better control than using a hand held paddle.
For more power you can use your hands and feet combined. Full body rowing is used for going fast, going upstream, going into the wind, or getting a higher intensity workout.
In the full body mode it is more efficient than conventional rear-facing sliding-seat rigs, and is proven faster than these rigs in identical boats (see bragging rights).
The FrontRower™ is the system of choice for long distance voyaging, daily exercise rowing, wildlife photography and birding.
If you are not familiar with the FrontRower™, we suggest you watch some of our video footage here, then check out this review in Small Boats Monthly. Additional reviews are listed here.
At leisurely cruising speeds you can power it with either your feet or your hands. With very little effort you can travel faster and with better control than using a hand held paddle.
For more power you can use your hands and feet combined. Full body rowing is used for going fast, going upstream, going into the wind, or getting a higher intensity workout.
In the full body mode it is more efficient than conventional rear-facing sliding-seat rigs, and is proven faster than these rigs in identical boats (see bragging rights).
The FrontRower™ is the system of choice for long distance voyaging, daily exercise rowing, wildlife photography and birding.
If you are not familiar with the FrontRower™, we suggest you watch some of our video footage here, then check out this review in Small Boats Monthly. Additional reviews are listed here.
Most ordinary canoes make excellent rowboats, and that's what most of our customers are using—canoes they already own.
But for those who want something really special, we have designed some wooden rowing boats specifically for use with the forward facing FrontRower™ rowing system.
And we offer plans for building these special rowboats yourself.
But for those who want something really special, we have designed some wooden rowing boats specifically for use with the forward facing FrontRower™ rowing system.
And we offer plans for building these special rowboats yourself.
Why we reinvented rowing
Ron Rantilla grew up with three brothers in a small town in Ohio. When he was 16, he purchased a used canoe. This canoe became a part of life for him and his brothers as they explored the local lakes and rivers and went on camping trips in Canada.
Years later Ron moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he worked as an engineer for Polaroid Corporation. He brought his canoe with him and in his free time began exploring the islands off the coast of Maine. His usual canoe partners were far away so he did a lot of solo paddling and canoe camping. The coast of Maine can be very windy, and solo paddling a canoe can be difficult in strong wind. On one occasion, he was stranded on a deserted island for three days waiting for the wind to die down enough so that he could paddle back to shore.
When he got back to Cambridge, Ron decided he needed a better way to propel his boat and began studying existing human powered boat propulsion systems and experimenting with his own designs.
Years later Ron moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he worked as an engineer for Polaroid Corporation. He brought his canoe with him and in his free time began exploring the islands off the coast of Maine. His usual canoe partners were far away so he did a lot of solo paddling and canoe camping. The coast of Maine can be very windy, and solo paddling a canoe can be difficult in strong wind. On one occasion, he was stranded on a deserted island for three days waiting for the wind to die down enough so that he could paddle back to shore.
When he got back to Cambridge, Ron decided he needed a better way to propel his boat and began studying existing human powered boat propulsion systems and experimenting with his own designs.
The problem with paddling
The main problem with solo paddling a canoe is handling the boat in strong wind. You need a lot of power to make progress against a strong headwind. And the wind can produce strong turning forces on the boat making it difficult to steer.
With two people paddling, the bow paddler can generated forward motion while the stern paddler can use his paddle as a rudder to turn the boat. Two skilled paddlers can generate enough power and turning force to handle a considerable amount of wind.
But a solo paddler cannot generated that much power and turning force with a hand-held paddle. He can be blown broadside to the wind without the ability to turn, and then blown downwind, which could be disastrous.
Oars and oarlocks (better than a paddle)
An oar is used in conjunction with an oarlock. An oarlock (a.k.a. rowlock) holds the oar at a pivot point attached to the boat. Some rowboats have the oarlocks mounted on the gunnels (the top of the sides of the boat). Some narrow rowboats (like racing shells) have the oarlocks mounted on outriggers (arms extending out from the sides of the boat).
When using a hand held paddle, you generate propulsive force with a twisting motion of your torso centered around your spine.
The main advantage of an oar is that it allows you to generate propulsive force with a pulling motion of you arms and back rather than a twisting motion of your torso. This is a more powerful and ergonomically comfortable way to generate power.
Another advantage of an oarlock is that it positions the blade farther out from the side of the boat, giving you greater turning force. Yet another advantage is that (using a pair of oars) you can apply power on both sides at the same time.
Using a pair of oars with oarlocks gives a solo boater a lot more power and turning force than a paddle—enough to handle a reasonable amount of wind.
The problem with oars
The problem with conventional oars is the awkward rear-facing position. This makes conventional rowing impractical and dangerous for exploring unfamiliar waters.
Old school solutions
Mirrors, push-rowing, and bow facing oars (aka articulated oars) are solutions that have been around for a long time. They are ways of getting around the problem of going backward, but they don't do anything to improve rowing beyond that.
The FrontRower™ goes beyond solving just that one problem.
The main problem with solo paddling a canoe is handling the boat in strong wind. You need a lot of power to make progress against a strong headwind. And the wind can produce strong turning forces on the boat making it difficult to steer.
With two people paddling, the bow paddler can generated forward motion while the stern paddler can use his paddle as a rudder to turn the boat. Two skilled paddlers can generate enough power and turning force to handle a considerable amount of wind.
But a solo paddler cannot generated that much power and turning force with a hand-held paddle. He can be blown broadside to the wind without the ability to turn, and then blown downwind, which could be disastrous.
Oars and oarlocks (better than a paddle)
An oar is used in conjunction with an oarlock. An oarlock (a.k.a. rowlock) holds the oar at a pivot point attached to the boat. Some rowboats have the oarlocks mounted on the gunnels (the top of the sides of the boat). Some narrow rowboats (like racing shells) have the oarlocks mounted on outriggers (arms extending out from the sides of the boat).
When using a hand held paddle, you generate propulsive force with a twisting motion of your torso centered around your spine.
The main advantage of an oar is that it allows you to generate propulsive force with a pulling motion of you arms and back rather than a twisting motion of your torso. This is a more powerful and ergonomically comfortable way to generate power.
Another advantage of an oarlock is that it positions the blade farther out from the side of the boat, giving you greater turning force. Yet another advantage is that (using a pair of oars) you can apply power on both sides at the same time.
Using a pair of oars with oarlocks gives a solo boater a lot more power and turning force than a paddle—enough to handle a reasonable amount of wind.
The problem with oars
The problem with conventional oars is the awkward rear-facing position. This makes conventional rowing impractical and dangerous for exploring unfamiliar waters.
Old school solutions
Mirrors, push-rowing, and bow facing oars (aka articulated oars) are solutions that have been around for a long time. They are ways of getting around the problem of going backward, but they don't do anything to improve rowing beyond that.
The FrontRower™ goes beyond solving just that one problem.
How we reinvented rowing
We put aside all our preconceived notions about rowing and started with a clean slate. We wanted to look at rowing from the point of view of ergonomics—making the system meet the needs of the oarsman, rather than making the oarsman meet the needs of the system. There was a lot of back and forth and trial and error in the development, but in the end, we got everything we ever wanted and more.
Oars, oarlocks and rigging
We moved the oarlocks from the sides of the boat to a pedestal in the center of the boat. Then we connect the oars by their innermost ends to these oarlocks. Then we positioned the handles in the middle of the oars. With this arrangement, when you pull on the oars with your hands, the oar blades move in the same direction as your hands.
This gives you forward facing rowing with a pulling motion on the oars.
And it eliminates the need for outriggers on a narrow boat, making it easy to come up close alongside a dock for easy boarding.
Using leg power
Some conventional rowing boats are set up with a sliding seat (which is usually on wheels riding on a track). This means that you can use your legs to push your body away from the oars. This lengthens the stroke and adds the power of you legs. Your feet are held in place by stretchers (which are footrests with straps), so you can pull your body back on the recovery stroke.
We tried a sliding seat for leg power, but soon realized that it wasted a lot of energy. It takes a lot of energy to move your body back and forth on the slides, reversing direction twice per stroke. And the weight shifting makes the boat "hobby horse" and makes it accelerate and decelerate significantly during each stroke, interfering with efficient travel through the water.
Then we tried a fixed seat and sliding pedestal (moving the rig and the oarlocks with your feet). But this was complicated and noisy. And we didn't like the feel of hands, feet, and oarlocks all moving at the same time.
So we came up with a stationary seat and moving pedals. Two independent pedals connected to the oars with ropes and pulleys. This was better for a lot of reasons. Simple, quiet and efficient. And no detectable weight shifting when using a full body stroke.
And it did something else that changed everything. It created a new path for leg power to get to the oars (through the ropes rather than through your back and arms). And there were two independent pedals, so you could power the oars separately. And this created the possibility of hands free rowing.
Hands free rowing
We counterbalanced the oars so they would lift out of the water when at rest. We adjusted the balance so that tension in the leg power ropes lowers the oars. And we added springs to pull the oars forward when tension is removed.
Now the oars dip, deliver their power, lift, and return to the front automatically based on foot pedal movement. So you don't need to use your hands at all.
Self feathering
Some oarlocks allow "feathering" the oars (meaning that you can twist the oar in the oarlock so the blade is flat or parallel to the surface of the water). This is done by wrist rotation. Feathering presents less resistance to the air as the lifted blade swings forward, and is especially useful when going into a headwind. The opposite of feathered is "squared" (when the blade is perpendicular to the surface of the water).
We achieved self feathering of the oars by attaching the leg power rope and the return spring "off-center" (on the top of the oar shaft). The oar shaft is free to rotate 1/4 of a turn with stops for the feathered and squared positions. Tension from the return spring feathers the oar, tension in the leg power rope automatically squares it.
Swiveling power handles
The self feathering works perfectly using leg power alone, and we wanted to enable this feature for hand powered rowing as well. We did this by including swiveling "power handles" attached to the oars at the same point as the leg power ropes. This allows the oars to rotate without wrist rotation. And it allows for a more ergonomically correct "hand shake" position for gripping the handles.
Comfortable seat with a backrest
When you row hands free (using your legs for power) you need a backrest to push into. A backrest is also a great comfort feature if you are just setting there and relaxing. We don't understand why all human powered propulsion systems don't include this feature. We made our backrest with adjustable reclining positions. And it swivels, so it follows your upper body motion when using your upper body for power.
We moved the oarlocks from the sides of the boat to a pedestal in the center of the boat. Then we connect the oars by their innermost ends to these oarlocks. Then we positioned the handles in the middle of the oars. With this arrangement, when you pull on the oars with your hands, the oar blades move in the same direction as your hands.
This gives you forward facing rowing with a pulling motion on the oars.
And it eliminates the need for outriggers on a narrow boat, making it easy to come up close alongside a dock for easy boarding.
Using leg power
Some conventional rowing boats are set up with a sliding seat (which is usually on wheels riding on a track). This means that you can use your legs to push your body away from the oars. This lengthens the stroke and adds the power of you legs. Your feet are held in place by stretchers (which are footrests with straps), so you can pull your body back on the recovery stroke.
We tried a sliding seat for leg power, but soon realized that it wasted a lot of energy. It takes a lot of energy to move your body back and forth on the slides, reversing direction twice per stroke. And the weight shifting makes the boat "hobby horse" and makes it accelerate and decelerate significantly during each stroke, interfering with efficient travel through the water.
Then we tried a fixed seat and sliding pedestal (moving the rig and the oarlocks with your feet). But this was complicated and noisy. And we didn't like the feel of hands, feet, and oarlocks all moving at the same time.
So we came up with a stationary seat and moving pedals. Two independent pedals connected to the oars with ropes and pulleys. This was better for a lot of reasons. Simple, quiet and efficient. And no detectable weight shifting when using a full body stroke.
And it did something else that changed everything. It created a new path for leg power to get to the oars (through the ropes rather than through your back and arms). And there were two independent pedals, so you could power the oars separately. And this created the possibility of hands free rowing.
Hands free rowing
We counterbalanced the oars so they would lift out of the water when at rest. We adjusted the balance so that tension in the leg power ropes lowers the oars. And we added springs to pull the oars forward when tension is removed.
Now the oars dip, deliver their power, lift, and return to the front automatically based on foot pedal movement. So you don't need to use your hands at all.
Self feathering
Some oarlocks allow "feathering" the oars (meaning that you can twist the oar in the oarlock so the blade is flat or parallel to the surface of the water). This is done by wrist rotation. Feathering presents less resistance to the air as the lifted blade swings forward, and is especially useful when going into a headwind. The opposite of feathered is "squared" (when the blade is perpendicular to the surface of the water).
We achieved self feathering of the oars by attaching the leg power rope and the return spring "off-center" (on the top of the oar shaft). The oar shaft is free to rotate 1/4 of a turn with stops for the feathered and squared positions. Tension from the return spring feathers the oar, tension in the leg power rope automatically squares it.
Swiveling power handles
The self feathering works perfectly using leg power alone, and we wanted to enable this feature for hand powered rowing as well. We did this by including swiveling "power handles" attached to the oars at the same point as the leg power ropes. This allows the oars to rotate without wrist rotation. And it allows for a more ergonomically correct "hand shake" position for gripping the handles.
Comfortable seat with a backrest
When you row hands free (using your legs for power) you need a backrest to push into. A backrest is also a great comfort feature if you are just setting there and relaxing. We don't understand why all human powered propulsion systems don't include this feature. We made our backrest with adjustable reclining positions. And it swivels, so it follows your upper body motion when using your upper body for power.
Where the FrontRower™ fits in
The organized sport of rowing
The Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts typically has more than eleven thousand participants and a quarter of a million spectators lining the banks of the Charles River. This is what most people think of when you mention rowing—a highly competitive sport with elite athletes and requiring years of training. But this is not what the FrontRower™ is all about. It did not evolve out of this tradition and it violates just about every rule of competitive rowing.
Wilderness voyaging
The FrontRower™ evolved out of a different tradition. One of taking occasional breaks from everyday life to experience the refreshing qualities of nature. This involves slowing down and focusing on your surroundings. Taking a trip in a small human powered boat is good way of doing this. Canoes are perfect boats for this purpose and a FrontRower™ is the best way of powering one. This is where the FrontRower™ fits in—taking you to interesting places and making it easier for you to focus on your natural surroundings.
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” —John Muir.
The FrontRower™ makes solo navigation easy. In a boat like a canoe it gives you the ability to bring a passenger and some cargo along. It is perfect for watching the scenery unfolding around the next bend. Moving quietly and efficiently through the water. Sitting comfortably in seat with a backrest. Having the ability to switch between using your feet or your hands or both. Knowing you can handle all the conditions you are likely to encounter. Knowing you are getting good exercise without damaging your muscles or joints.
The Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts typically has more than eleven thousand participants and a quarter of a million spectators lining the banks of the Charles River. This is what most people think of when you mention rowing—a highly competitive sport with elite athletes and requiring years of training. But this is not what the FrontRower™ is all about. It did not evolve out of this tradition and it violates just about every rule of competitive rowing.
Wilderness voyaging
The FrontRower™ evolved out of a different tradition. One of taking occasional breaks from everyday life to experience the refreshing qualities of nature. This involves slowing down and focusing on your surroundings. Taking a trip in a small human powered boat is good way of doing this. Canoes are perfect boats for this purpose and a FrontRower™ is the best way of powering one. This is where the FrontRower™ fits in—taking you to interesting places and making it easier for you to focus on your natural surroundings.
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” —John Muir.
The FrontRower™ makes solo navigation easy. In a boat like a canoe it gives you the ability to bring a passenger and some cargo along. It is perfect for watching the scenery unfolding around the next bend. Moving quietly and efficiently through the water. Sitting comfortably in seat with a backrest. Having the ability to switch between using your feet or your hands or both. Knowing you can handle all the conditions you are likely to encounter. Knowing you are getting good exercise without damaging your muscles or joints.
Daily exercise
The FrontRower™ gives you the same high quality exercise as rear-facing sliding-seat rowing or indoor rowing on an erg. But it's really easy to use, has a quick learning curve, and is more fun than rowing in a gym. And you don't need to be athletic to use it. At low intensity levels it is easier than walking. At higher intensity levels it can be vigorous exercise for cardio and interval training. The forward-facing position makes everything easier, safer and more enjoyable.
Photography and birding
The ability to handle photographic equipment or binoculars while rowing with your feet is a great feature for photographers and birders. And the forward-facing position lets you see wildlife before you scare it away.
Going fast
And for those for whom going fast is important it is nice to know that the FrontRower™ can outperform rear-facing sliding-seat rowing rigs in the same boats (see bragging rights).
The FrontRower™ gives you the same high quality exercise as rear-facing sliding-seat rowing or indoor rowing on an erg. But it's really easy to use, has a quick learning curve, and is more fun than rowing in a gym. And you don't need to be athletic to use it. At low intensity levels it is easier than walking. At higher intensity levels it can be vigorous exercise for cardio and interval training. The forward-facing position makes everything easier, safer and more enjoyable.
Photography and birding
The ability to handle photographic equipment or binoculars while rowing with your feet is a great feature for photographers and birders. And the forward-facing position lets you see wildlife before you scare it away.
Going fast
And for those for whom going fast is important it is nice to know that the FrontRower™ can outperform rear-facing sliding-seat rowing rigs in the same boats (see bragging rights).