For years I’ve used my trusty “tin boat” for fishing at my lake. She’s 14 feet long with the standard riveted aluminum hull. Full of dents but no leaks. With my 9 hp. outboard kicker on the back she worked well for years and kept fish on the table.

A couple of years back legislation outlawed gas engines on the lake so I got out an old pair of oars and plugged them into the oarlock sockets on the side of the old “Tinnie” and gave a shot at rowing her. It was a pretty sad state of affairs. The design of this hull was specifically for outboard motor power and planning across the water. Under oars it was a joke. Like rowing an old log.

So recently I bought a proper rowing boat off the internet. It’s called a Solo 14. It’s made of some space age polymer, strong as hell! It reminds me of an old working schooner shore boat. But the really nice thing is it’s got a sliding seat and fold out extended oarlocks. It’s got really light carbon fiber oars. I’m amazed! One pull on the 9’6” oars and she shoots twenty feet ahead. Easy to row and I get great exercise. I’m happy! Quieter than the kicker, no smell and I’m staying fit. Best of all I can still put fish on the table.

Below are links to their two sites, one all about the solo 14 and the other has all of their other boats, even ones with nice teak finishes. Happy rowing!

www.whitehallrow.com - Boats

www.whitehallsolo.com - Solo 14'