Evaluation of propulsion efficiency during cruising phase of Cutter Race with Focus on the Rowing Power of Oars

Abstract

To increase boat speed during cutter races, improving the rowing efficiency of oars is important. To clarify the characteristics of rowing cutters, total 17 patterns rowing experiments were carried out at Togitsu Port in Omura Bay, Nagasaki Prefecture. At this experiments, total 6 scullers rowing power were measured and estimated total rowing power or rowing efficiency with changing scullers positions, respectively. Moreover,the boat speed was also recorded using a portable GPS device. Experimental results showed a difference of more than twice the rowing power was observed when the rowing position was changed even with the same rower, showing strengths and weaknesses. However, no correlation was observed between a subject’s average rowing power and their physique (height, weight, body fat mass, muscle mass, BMI, and FFMI). Furthermore, the rowing power may be attributed to factors other than physique. The average mean total rowing efficiency was 25.7% ± 2.1% (± S.D.) during headwinds. Even when the members are together, the rowing efficiency showed a difference of more than 7%, simply because the scullers were arranged in different positions. The rowing power and technical factors were suggested to be important factors influencing the rowing efficiency.