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Rowing Ergonomics as I understand them:

  • A 1x8 (3/4 x 7 1/4 actual) makes a fine seat. A 1x10 (3/4 x 9 1/4) is nicer
  • The oarlocks should be between 11 and 13 inches aft of the aft edge of the seat
  • Oarlocks should be more than 5 inches above the top of the seat and less than 12 (at 5 and below, you scrape your thighs on the backstroke, above 12 and you lose most of the muscles that help you row)
  • You heels need to be below your butt (top of the seat.) 15 inches is high (toilet seat) and 6 inches starts to be too low. 8 - 11 inches seems comfortable.
  • Heel to butt height helps determine the leg room needed. Measure it out before hand.
On a PDR, you weight at least 2x, more likely 3x to 4x as much as the boat, so your center of gravity should be a little behind the forward edge of the flat spot in the hull - between 36 and 48 inches from the stern. Farther back is better as you drive the nose down on your stroke - center your butt 40 inches from the stern? 38? Check your leg length to be sure.

That rocker on the hull is a bit of a problem when it comes to seat height. The hull bends down 6" from transom to transom. Your heels need to be lower than your butt for comfortable rowing - about 8" is nice, but that puts your seat top 14 inches above the hull.

Oarlocks need to be a minimum of 5" above the top of the seat, or you'll hit your thighs on the backstroke. 7" is better. Over 8" feels weird.

Take it all together: The aft edge of the seat is 36" from the stern so the oarlocks are 24" from the stern. Oarlocks 7" above the seat top, which is 8" above your heels which are 6" above the hull = a hull height (or at least oarlock height) of 21" at 24" from the stern.