Boathouse habits we all have but rarely record. Boat damage happens on racks and in doorways. Good habits are cheap and broken riggers are not.
Timestamps
01:00 Small things with an outsize impact.
When you go and lift your boat – does everyone do it the same way? Most of the “lore” lives in people’s heads and gets passed on by word of mouth.
Boathouse habits worth making visible.
02:15 Before the boat moves
Focus on safety here – from signing in and out; which people and boat are you using, and which water circulation you are using. And the safety features in the boat – the bow ball and heel restraints on the shoes. A damaged boat stays on the rack and does not get used.
Most clubs take their oars out first with water bottles, seat pads and electronics. Put them where nobody will step on them.
When carrying oars do you hold them spoon or handle first? Does it matter which way? If it’s important you need a policy on how to do it.
04:00 Carrying boats
When moving small boats it’s all about balance and managing the boat balance. Big boat safety is about communication amongst the crew carrying it.
Single sculls weigh about 14kg – find the balance point before lifting of the rack.
Doubles and pairs are carried differently. One person at each end, next to the canvas holding the boat in the crook of your elbow in order to have control over the boat. Before lifting any crew boat agree who is doing the calls.
Eights and fours – they are long and we have a rule only one person calls and everyone else is silent unless what they say is abut carrying the boat safely. Spread yourself evenly down the boat, opposite your rigger. Make the calls one at a time – lift – roll it vertical – walk it out. You may need someone to check it’s clear of the doorway.
06:45 Protect boats
Simple things to protect boats – the pool noodle hack. Slit them and cover them to go over the oarlock (top and bottom of pin). Wooden wedges to tilt the riggers of the boat above up to give more space for lifting. Also tennis balls, rubber caps, old socks also work to protect top nuts. Remember the bit which does the damage is the rigger on the far side of the rack against the wall. Put the protectors back on the riggers before re-racking the boat.
https://www.row2k.com/features/6718/rowing-hack-pool-noodled-oarlocks/
08:00 Boat repairs
Do you have a log book for repairs? How are repairs reported? Can you fix something you notice immediately? That is often best and you don’t need to report it and take the boat out of use. An ‘Out of Use’ sign can be made to hang in the gates so it’s obvious that the boat is broken. Who is in charge of doing the repairs or preparing a list of repairs for the next working bee? We do these monthly and most of the quick fixes can easily be done by members with no boatbuilding skill. That’s where members learn about the equipment, how it is designed and how to look after it.
What’s important is to write down and document your processes – write them down in your club handbook and teach it at new member induction, teach visitors and at learn to row courses.
If you’ve downloaded the Faster Masters Skills Checklists you can edit those documents to add in your way of doing things for your club.
