FrontRower™ Details
FrontRower rowing system. Oars snap apart for storage or transportation.
The FrontRower™ is a "drop-in" rowing rig designed for use in rowboats and canoes. The system includes frame, seat and oars. It rests on suction cups which act as resilient mounting feet and conform to the shape of the boat bottom. It is held in place with two thumb screws which thread into mounting pads glued onto the bottom of the boat. It is easy to remove and fits on the back seat of most 4-door cars and SUVs.
FrontRower rowing system shown installed in typical canoe.
Comfortable, efficient, easy to use
The FrontRower™ is designed to be comfortable, efficient and easy to use. You row it facing forward, so you can see where you are going without twisting around. It has a big comfortable seat with an adjustable reclining backrest. It uses pedals to develop leg power more efficiently than a sliding seat. The oars lift and dip automatically--making it very easy to use. And it has swiveling power handles allowing the oars to feather (rotating the blades from vertical to flat) automatically, without complicated wrist rotation.
The FrontRower™ is designed to be comfortable, efficient and easy to use. You row it facing forward, so you can see where you are going without twisting around. It has a big comfortable seat with an adjustable reclining backrest. It uses pedals to develop leg power more efficiently than a sliding seat. The oars lift and dip automatically--making it very easy to use. And it has swiveling power handles allowing the oars to feather (rotating the blades from vertical to flat) automatically, without complicated wrist rotation.
Three ways to row
Oarlocks at the ends of the oars
- You can row the FrontRower™ with your hands and your feet together, so you can generate lots of power and get a full body workout.
- Or you can row it with just your feet (hands free). This means you can use your hands for other things—like taking pictures or casting a fishing line.
- You can row it with just your hands, using a completely different set of muscles.
Oarlocks at the ends of the oars
Conventional vs. FrontRower oars. The oars swing the same arc
and propel boat the same distance per stroke.
To obtain forward motion while pulling on the oars, we reversed the position of the oarlock and the handle (technically converting them from class 2 to class 3 levers). This gives you the same mechanical advantage but with a shorter oar which moves in the opposite direction. The oars are shorter by the overhanging handle length. They swing the same arc as the longer oars, and the boat travels the same distance per stroke. This makes it handy for "hybrid rowing" which is using a rear-facing sliding-seat rig and a FrontRower™ rig in the same boat.
Inboard oarlock position
The FrontRower™ has the oarlocks mounted on a pedestal in the middle of the boat. The need for outriggers on narrow-hulled boats has been eliminated. This makes it easy to bring your boat up close alongside a dock or another boat.
Pedals for leg power
The FrontRower™ system uses moving pedals to develop leg power. There are two pedals, each independent from the other, and each connected to it's own oar by ropes and pulleys. The ropes travel under the seat then up and forward to the oars. The ropes pull the oars from behind in the same direction that you would pull with your hands.
There are several advantages to using moving pedals (rather than a sliding seat) to develop leg power.
Inboard oarlock position
The FrontRower™ has the oarlocks mounted on a pedestal in the middle of the boat. The need for outriggers on narrow-hulled boats has been eliminated. This makes it easy to bring your boat up close alongside a dock or another boat.
Pedals for leg power
The FrontRower™ system uses moving pedals to develop leg power. There are two pedals, each independent from the other, and each connected to it's own oar by ropes and pulleys. The ropes travel under the seat then up and forward to the oars. The ropes pull the oars from behind in the same direction that you would pull with your hands.
There are several advantages to using moving pedals (rather than a sliding seat) to develop leg power.
- It is more efficient, because it minimizes moving mass and weight shifting during the stroke. This is part of the reason the FrontRower™ is faster than conventional sliding-seat rowing.
- It enables hands-free rowing, because the oars can be operated independently by the pedals through the ropes. Conventional rowing requires your hands on the oars at all times.
- It reduces strain on your back. Leg power goes through the ropes (not through your back and arms) to get to the oars.
Operation
Foot operated rowing (hands free)
This is the easiest way to row your boat. When your push on a pedal, it makes the oar drop into the water and move rearward (driving the boat forward). When you stop pushing, the oar lifts out of the water and a spring pulls it forward, ready for the next stroke. The oars also feather automatically (rotating the blades form vertical horizontal) when the oars swing forward above the water. If you push with both feet together in smooth steady strokes you will go straight ahead. To turn, you take longer strokes on one side, just as you would with conventional oars.
Hand operated rowing
For hand rowing, you take your feet off the pedals and use only the swiveling power handles for power. This uses a completely different set of muscles than foot rowing. The handles are swivel connected to the oars and no wrist rotation is required, allowing the oars to feather automatically.
Full body rowing
For full body power, you use your feet and hands together, pushing with your feet and pulling with your hands. This extra power comes in handy when you want to row upstream or into strong headwinds or if you want to get a higher intensity workout.
This is the easiest way to row your boat. When your push on a pedal, it makes the oar drop into the water and move rearward (driving the boat forward). When you stop pushing, the oar lifts out of the water and a spring pulls it forward, ready for the next stroke. The oars also feather automatically (rotating the blades form vertical horizontal) when the oars swing forward above the water. If you push with both feet together in smooth steady strokes you will go straight ahead. To turn, you take longer strokes on one side, just as you would with conventional oars.
Hand operated rowing
For hand rowing, you take your feet off the pedals and use only the swiveling power handles for power. This uses a completely different set of muscles than foot rowing. The handles are swivel connected to the oars and no wrist rotation is required, allowing the oars to feather automatically.
Full body rowing
For full body power, you use your feet and hands together, pushing with your feet and pulling with your hands. This extra power comes in handy when you want to row upstream or into strong headwinds or if you want to get a higher intensity workout.
Advantages
Rowing vs paddling
Rowing with a pair of oars has advantages over using a hand-held paddle. This is especially true when paddling solo. You have a great deal more propulsive power, so you can move a heavily loaded boat more easily against wind and current. And you have more turning force, so you can turn your boat more easily against the wind. And if you are on the water for exercise purposes, rowing is as good as it gets.
Forward vs backward
Rowing facing forward has important safety and practical advantages over rowing facing backward (especially in unfamiliar waters). You can see and avoid obstacles that lie ahead without twisting around. And you can see wildlife before you scare it away. You end up with a more relaxing and enjoyable time on the water.
Hands-free
The ability to row hands-free is a unique advantage of the FrontRower™. Generating power with your legs is easier than using your arms. And it allows you to use your hands for other things (like reading charts, taking pictures, or casting a fishing line). In normal conditions you can row at cruising speed using just your legs. You only need full-body power when you want to go faster, when you need to overcome wind and current, or to get a higher intensity workout.
Fits existing boats
The FrontRower™ can be retrofitted into existing boats such as canoes and touring rowboats. If you already own a suitable boat, you can use it and you won't need to buy another boat. If you don't already own a suitable boat, you can buy one locally (we will help you pick one out). Or you can buy one from us. We sell rowing canoes, custom built touring rowboats, and rowboat kits and plans.
Easy to use
The FrontRower™ is easy to use with a short learning curve. For hands-free rowing, all you do is move the pedals forward and back with your feet in long smooth strokes. The oars lift, feather and dip automatically. To steer, you just take a longer stroke on one side. This is so easy that most people get it in the first few minutes of their first time out. The same is true for upper-body rowing—you pull back on the handles for power then swing the oars forward for the 'catch" with no need for lifting or wrist rotation.
Great for exercise
The FrontRower™ offers the same great “full-body” exercise as conventional rear-facing sliding-seat rowing. And the FrontRower™ lets you row with just your legs or just your upper body so you can isolate these areas for special attention.
Great for photography, fishing, and touring
The fact that you can row with just your legs (hands-free) is very useful for photography and fishing. You can row and steer with your feet while using your hands for cameras or fishing gear. And it's great for touring because you can relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about running into things.
The system of choice for long distance rowers
With its forward-facing position, comfortable seating position, full-body power, and multiple modes of operation, the FrontRower™ has become the system of choice for serious long distance “adventure” rowers. You can read about some of them on our bragging rights page and on our reviews page.
Rowing with a pair of oars has advantages over using a hand-held paddle. This is especially true when paddling solo. You have a great deal more propulsive power, so you can move a heavily loaded boat more easily against wind and current. And you have more turning force, so you can turn your boat more easily against the wind. And if you are on the water for exercise purposes, rowing is as good as it gets.
Forward vs backward
Rowing facing forward has important safety and practical advantages over rowing facing backward (especially in unfamiliar waters). You can see and avoid obstacles that lie ahead without twisting around. And you can see wildlife before you scare it away. You end up with a more relaxing and enjoyable time on the water.
Hands-free
The ability to row hands-free is a unique advantage of the FrontRower™. Generating power with your legs is easier than using your arms. And it allows you to use your hands for other things (like reading charts, taking pictures, or casting a fishing line). In normal conditions you can row at cruising speed using just your legs. You only need full-body power when you want to go faster, when you need to overcome wind and current, or to get a higher intensity workout.
Fits existing boats
The FrontRower™ can be retrofitted into existing boats such as canoes and touring rowboats. If you already own a suitable boat, you can use it and you won't need to buy another boat. If you don't already own a suitable boat, you can buy one locally (we will help you pick one out). Or you can buy one from us. We sell rowing canoes, custom built touring rowboats, and rowboat kits and plans.
Easy to use
The FrontRower™ is easy to use with a short learning curve. For hands-free rowing, all you do is move the pedals forward and back with your feet in long smooth strokes. The oars lift, feather and dip automatically. To steer, you just take a longer stroke on one side. This is so easy that most people get it in the first few minutes of their first time out. The same is true for upper-body rowing—you pull back on the handles for power then swing the oars forward for the 'catch" with no need for lifting or wrist rotation.
Great for exercise
The FrontRower™ offers the same great “full-body” exercise as conventional rear-facing sliding-seat rowing. And the FrontRower™ lets you row with just your legs or just your upper body so you can isolate these areas for special attention.
Great for photography, fishing, and touring
The fact that you can row with just your legs (hands-free) is very useful for photography and fishing. You can row and steer with your feet while using your hands for cameras or fishing gear. And it's great for touring because you can relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about running into things.
The system of choice for long distance rowers
With its forward-facing position, comfortable seating position, full-body power, and multiple modes of operation, the FrontRower™ has become the system of choice for serious long distance “adventure” rowers. You can read about some of them on our bragging rights page and on our reviews page.
