Hi, I am doing R2AK in my O'Day 27 as team west coast wild ones.

does anyone have good experience or ideas about the best way to row a boat like this?

I thought about rowing from the cockpit. Ill have to put a removable sliding seat on each side of the cockpit and drill in some sturdy mounts for oar locks. I also have winches and stanchions here that may get in the way.

Or having a rowing seat suspended from the transom so I can row at water level. This may test my engineering skills.

Or just using SUP paddles and maybe adding a fifth person to our four person team so four can paddle at a time.

How much time did teams in similar boats with a good suit of sails spend rowing in years past?

Any advice, ideas or criticism for my late planning will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

Hi Ben;
The tri's did well pedaling from the stern. The O30 team Hot Mess managed with paddles and 4 guys. Team Kelp is using oars from the cockpit. The best power will be from the transom so depends on your time available. A sliding seat in the cockpit is a bit of a challenge too, but teams have used old rowing machine setups on thwarts and such. It is nice to have the paddles as well, to use different muscles for a while or supplement the rower's output. The most impressive setup was on the 40 foot carbon mono, with a multiple pedal set up and crew on trapeze, using the apparent wind, for 6 knots of boat speed.
2016 the wind was so strong getting out of Port Townsend that it was a real struggle for some, with boats pushed on the seawall. The Thunderbird team struggled with the freeboard rowing there boat.
A folding platform on the transom is my suggestion, along with paddles to help steer. I have seen wood ones listed on CL from mobos, just add hinges.

I have some used oars for sale.They are 12 feet, with a cupped assymetrical blade and a wood handle and are light. I have a set for myself, my buddy and have a couple sets left to sell. I am selling them for 50 a piece to r2ak teams. They are in good shape. I also have an older aluminum rowing frame you can look at too.

Good luck with your race prep and I look forward to meeting your team.
Paul
Team Squamish
http://r2ak2017teamsquamishy6m.jimdo.com/

Just a note, all the oars are spoken for, except some 10 foot rafting ones that are alum shaft Carlyle, strong like bull and some oarlocks. Trade or obo
Ben took a pair, so did an Angus build team in Squamish and a NVan O-30 team; hope you decide to do the whole thing with that O-30!
Cheers

The last oars are spoken for now, sorry.

You could try UBC or one of the rowing clubs for used oars...
or buy the fg or carbon tube and make your own blade and wood grip. Here is one. http://fiberman.ca/fiberglass-tube/

In Canada, you can get plans for oars and oarlocks here. https://angusrowboats.com/products/conc ... ng-oarlock

Thanks I have everything I need now cheers!