2006-12-11 09:05:39 · 8 answers · asked by auriga99x 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
The rower in a rowboat faces backwards due to the way the oars are situated. In a canoe, the operator has 1 free oar which is not supported by the boat. This leaves all the strain on the operator. If you were backward in a canoe you would have to paddle by pushing not pulling, quite an unnatural motion. In a rowboat the oars are fixed on the edges of the boat and are able to pivot. This allows the operator to use them both at the same time. Being backward allows the operator to pull the oars rather than push them. It is all in the pivot. When rowing a canoe, ones own hand is the pivot point allowing face forward. It seems like the rowboat is quite a bit more efficient as well considering that all the forces that your muscles exert go directly into propelling due to the fixed nature of the oars.
2006-12-11 11:52:34 · answer #1 · answered by fyrfyteremt 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A backwards facing rower gets more thrust from each pull of the oar as he can put the weight of his upper body into each pull. This is needed for the much heavier and wider row boats. While a canoe is light and skinny it goes through the water well without the need of the backward pull of the row boat. The advantage to the canoer is that he can see where he's going. All he needs is the strength of your upper arms to pull the canoe through the water.
2006-12-12 13:16:15 · answer #2 · answered by brian L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A canoe usually have to contend with the current whereas a rowboat is usually on a lake with no current. Rowing backwards generally produces more force.
2006-12-11 17:10:26 · answer #3 · answered by ladydavonia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
different mechanism of action. one faces forward to paddle canoes and kayaks--each of those is different style paddling--rowboats the rower faces aft because rowing is done backwards.
there is a kind of rowinfg that is done facing forward--ya ned muscles foe that--more advanced style
2006-12-11 20:09:00 · answer #4 · answered by z-hag 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Power vs Control.
You can move more water and apply greater force when rowing backwards. Of course you can't see where you are going as well.
A canoer is interested in applying forward momentum, but wants better control of which direction they are going.
2006-12-11 17:19:23 · answer #5 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the way the seats are arranged
2006-12-12 08:18:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One rows, the other paddles.
2006-12-11 17:08:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have two oars....and canoers i guess go downstream when rowboaters go upstream
2006-12-11 17:50:56 · answer #8 · answered by mojorison12003 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋