Steering

Question
Please settle a family argument.How are coxless fours and pairs steered,please.
Dennis

Answer
Hi Dennis: The bowman of these boats steers.  Typically, the right foot stretcher is attached to a pair of cables that runs criss-cross under the keel to the rudder located at the stern.  So if twist your foot to your left (starboard side), the cable attached to the port (boat's left) side of the rudder tightens and moves the rudder to port.  This moves the bow (forward part of the boat) to the left.  The opposite applies if you move your foot to the right.

This obviously takes a lot of skill for the bowman to watch the course and coordinate the steering while rowing at 35 strokes a minute.  That's why coxless sweep boats do far better if both oarsman are even in pulling ability, because each movement of rudder kills the run of the boat.

Hope that helps/AP