Ron Rantilla Rowing
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Retrofitting your Rowboat

There are lots of existing rowboats that can be retrofit with a FrontRower™ rowing rig. (Some modification will probably be required.) Doing so will give you the same (or more) power and control and will give you a comfortable forward facing rowing position and the ability to row hands free. ​​

Here is a partial list of known successful retrofits:

Adirondack Guide Boat
Alden Ocean Shell Single
Alden Ocean Shell Double
Annapolis Wherry
Appledore Pod
Chester Yawl
Heritage 12
Heritage 15
Merry Wherry
Skimmer Catamaran
Sprite Skiff
Windrush Rowing Skiff

​Most of these boats can be seen in the Slide Show of Owner's Boats.

If you already own one of these (or similar) boats, with a little modification you may be able to use it.  Email us with the make and model or a picture and the overall length and beam dimensions and we will let you know what we think. 

Cockpit Area Requirements
​The FrontRower requires open area for the pedals to swing and for the leg power ropes to travel freely.  It needs an open cockpit area in the center of the boat at least 60 inches long and at least 26 inches wide at the top.    
Picture
Open cockpit area requirements for FrontRower installation
Maximum beam limitation
There is also a "maximum beam" limitation for the FrontRower.  If the boat is too wide, the oars will make contact with the gunwales, limiting their forward swing.  We list this at 36 inches for most canoe-like boats, but each boat is different, and some customers have done successful installations in beamier boats (up to 42 inches) with shallower cockpit depths.
Retrofitting Your Canoe
Our Rowboat Designs
​© 2020 Ron Rantilla
Warren, Rhode Island
​
  • Home
  • Videos
  • FrontRower
    • FrontRower™ fact sheet
    • Installation
    • Rowing Instructions
  • Boats
    • Slide Show - owners boats
    • Our Rowboat Designs >
      • Odyssey 18 Touring Rowboat
      • Odyssey 165 Touring Rowboat
    • Rowing Canoes
    • Retrofitting your Rowboat
    • Our Rowboat Plans
    • Our Rowboat Kits
    • Types of Rowboats
  • Catalog
  • Reviews
    • Owner's Reviews
    • Magazine Reviews
  • Bragging Rights
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Tryouts
  • Adaptive Rowing
  • Articles
    • Aerobic Heart Rate Chart
    • Rowing for Exercise
    • Hybrid Rowing
    • Hull Speed Chart
    • Rowboats Q & A
    • Rowing Rigs
    • U S Marshals
    • Rowing Glossary
    • Why We Row Backward
    • Rowing Efficiency
    • Traditional Dory
  • Drawings
  • Support
  • Parts
  • Sitemap
  • Video Rowing Lesson