Fold-down Oarlocks on Sneakboats

[Bob B]

Steve
the pictures at the top of this post show the wood type you just described.
the back edge of the wood Oar lock that touches the hull on the outboard side is a 90 deg. angle and the inside edge that touches the hull is rounded over. A pin thru the two wood cleats and the wood oar lock at the bottom is the pivot. Sometimes another pin is put in up high to help the wood oar lock keep from splitting from the pull of the oar.
This allows the wood to lay down to the inside on the hull. When tilted up it hits the hull on the bottom and a wedge holds it to the outside and up.

 

[Steve O]

Thanks Bob.

Based on Zack's description, however, it seems like there's one more piece to this puzzle. He seems to describe a chock that apparently is wedged against the oarlock's inward side to hold it upright. I've yet to see one in operation.

As a practical matter, I've resolved this whole issue for my build by deciding to move the oarlocks inward, having them be flush with the top of the cowling, and making them fixed.

As it turns out, this puts them in the perfect position for my father's 6 foot oars. Now I don't have to purchase oars.

 

[DeWayne Knight]

Thanks Bob.

Based on Zack's description, however, it seems like there's one more piece to this puzzle. He seems to describe a chock that apparently is wedged against the oarlock's inward side to hold it upright. I've yet to see one in operation.

As a practical matter, I've resolved this whole issue for my build by deciding to move the oarlocks inward, having them be flush with the top of the cowling, and making them fixed.

As it turns out, this puts them in the perfect position for my father's 6 foot oars. Now I don't have to purchase oars.

I took the liberty of "heisting" Mr. Brimingham's photo and doing a little "painting" to show you the missing piece. The "chock" goes between the little cleat on the deck and the actual oarlock to hold it up. On the folding part of the actual oarlock, where I drew the arrow is the radiused part so it will fold down towards the cockpit without binding against the deck.

 

[DeWayne Knight]

In this photo from James McKinney you see the "chock" that wedges between the cleat and the oarklock...

 

[Steve O]

The mystery is officially solved.

Thanks DeWayne.

That is a very elegant solution, and quite impressive.

 

[Rick H]

This is a great thread that really hits home with me. I've got a fiberglass BBSB with folding block oar locks and have lamented to myself on many occasions that the current set up is useless for serious rowing. With a brand new Honda on the back it hasn't been a high priority, but this topic has provided the answer. Before this fall wedges will be installed on my boat so that the position of the oar locks can be fixed firmly in place. Thank you to everyone who provided input on this subject.

 

[Steve O]

My apologies to Zack Taylor. After reading DeWayne's description and looking at the photos he posted (with the drawing he added), I looked again at Zack's book.

Lo and behold, he does have an illustration of the chock in action. It's on page 77. It's a very small drawing, and I obviously did not understand it.

DeWayne, your post was a real help. Thanks again.