How to Row a West Wight Potter

West Wight Potters are small sailboats that have a short enough draft that they can be taken into waters that boats with a deeper keel could not access. Solo sailors will find them easy to control. While having a small trolling motor on board is recommended to make moving the boat when no wind is available easier, the boats can also be rowed. There are two positions in the boat from which to row a West Wight Potter. It is a physically demanding process, but one that is not difficult to learn.

Things You'll Need

  • Paddle(s)
  • Rope (if needed)
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Instructions

  1. Paddle from the Bow

    • 1

      Raise the rudder out of the water and lock it in the upright position according to the instructions provided for the model West Wight Potter being sailed.

    • 2

      Go to the bow of the boat with the paddle.

    • 3

      Sit at the bow so both legs are straddling either side of the bow and hanging over the gunwales (the side edges of the boat).

    • 4

      Paddle the West Wight Potter using one paddle as if rowing a canoe. Dip the blade of the oar into the water slightly ahead of the bow and drag it back as far as can be comfortably reached. Make sure the blade is facing in the direction the paddle is being moved and not slicing through the water with the blade edge facing into the direction of movement. Raise the paddle out of the water and repeat the motion on the other side of the boat. Repeat the motion, alternating between each side to move the boat forward.

    • 5

      Row repeatedly on one side of the boat only to turn the boat in that direction. Return to alternating sides when rowing to move the boat on a straight line.

    Row from the Cockpit

    • 6

      Sit or stand in the center of the cockpit, just ahead of the rudder.

    • 7

      Place one oar into the water so it crosses the side of the boat next to one of the stanchions supporting the safety rail on the boat's edge. Make sure that the blade of the oar is completely submerged in the water and the oar is at 45-degree angle to the boat.

    • 8

      Wrap and tie a rope around the oar just after where is crosses the stanchion then wrap and tie the rope around the stanchion. Wrap another piece of rope around the oar and the stanchion and tie them together to make a temporary oarlock. Repeat this process on the other side of the boat with the other oar.

    • 9

      Sit or stand in the center of the cockpit, facing the rudder, and grab both oar handles.

    • 10

      Push down and forward on the oar handles to raise the blades of the oars and position them behind the sailor.

    • 11

      Bring the oar handles up and back to shoulder height, putting the blades of the oars into the water and pulling the blades back toward the stern.

    • 12

      Push down on the oar handles to lift the blades out of the water and move the handles out toward the rudder handle so the blades move through the air and behind the sailor.

    • 13

      Repeat steps 6 and 7 to row the boat. The movement of the oars through the water and air should follow an elliptical pattern. Adjust the rudder position as needed to steer the boat.