Rowlock

A rowlock[1] (UK: /ˈrɒlək/), sometimes spur (due to the similarity in shape and size), oarlock (American English)[2] or gate, is a brace that attaches an oar to a boat. When a boat is rowed, the rowlock acts as a fulcrum for the oar.[3]

A rowlock on a rowing boat
A rowlock used for the sport of rowing

On ordinary rowing craft, the rowlocks are attached to the gunwales. In the sport of rowing, the rowlocks are attached to outriggers (often just called "riggers"), which project from the boat and provide greater leverage. In sport rowing, the rowlocks are normally U-shaped and attached to a vertical pin which allows the rowlock to pivot around the pin during the rowing stroke. They additionally have a locking mechanism (properly known as "the gate") across the top of the "U" to prevent the oar from unintentionally popping out of the rowlock.

A rowlock cut into the top strake of a boat

In some, largely older, strict terminologies, a rowlock is a U-shaped cut-out in the top strake of a boat (usually the wash-strake). In older texts, the U-shaped metal fitting may be called an "oar crutch", a usage which is largely obsolete.[4]: 213–217 [5]

An alternative pivot point for oars are thole pins that the shaft of the oar nestled between. Single thole pins may be used when the oars have holes cut into the loom, which then sits over/around the thole pin.[6]

Sport rowing

In sport rowing oarlocks were originally brass or bronze and open (no gate). With the advent of modern materials oarlocks are now injection moulded plastic and precision made to minimize play (slop) between the oar collar and the oarlock. The most recent sport racing oarlocks have a spring loaded feature to keep the oar collar firmly against the pin at all times.

Oarlocks are technical pieces of equipment in sport rowing, holding the oar shaft and therefore the oar blade at the correct angle in the water to ensure optimum performance.

Heraldry
The coat of arms of Hailuoto

The Norwegian municipalities of Fosnes, Radøy and Tjøme have rowlocks on their coats of arms. A rowlock is also used in the coat of arms of Hailuoto, Finland, to symbolise the maritime economy of the island municipality; the coat of arms is blazoned as "Azure a rowlock argent."[7][8] A type of rowlock is also featured in the canting arms of Hankasalmi, alluding to the municipality's name (hankain = rowlock, salmi = strait).[9]

References
  1. "rowlock Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary". Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  2. "Oarlock - definition and common misspellings". Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  3. Dudhia, Anu. "Basic Physics of Rowing". Physics of Rowing. Oxford University Department of Physics. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  4. Admiralty Manual of Seamanship (1941 ed.). London: HMSO. 1937.
  5. "R". Practical Boat Owner. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  6. Captain Dennis Robinson FNI, Master Mariner
  7. "Sisäasiainministeriön vahvistamat kaupunkien, kauppaloiden ja kuntien vaakunat 1949-1995 I:8 Hailuoto". Kansallisarkiston digitaaliarkisto (in Finnish). Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  8. Suomen kunnallisvaakunat (in Finnish). Suomen Kunnallisliitto. 1982. p. 129. ISBN 951-773-085-3.
  9. Suomen kunnallisvaakunat (in Finnish). Suomen Kunnallisliitto. 1982. p. 130. ISBN 951-773-085-3.
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