Equipment Compliance
All boats and oars must meet the minimum requirements as outline in Appendix R2 Bye-Laws to Rule 28 (Section 1,2, 3 and 4).
Summary (For detail information please refer to Bye-Laws to Rule 28)
Boats
Maximum Length: for eights 2 section minimum with no section longer than 11.9 m
Minimum Length: 7.20 metres
Boat Design: displacement mono-hulls
Fins: Any number of fins are allowed but they must be fixed and vertical on the hull
Rudders: Only one rudder is allowed
Coxswain’s Seat: The opening of the coxswain’s seat must be at least 70 cm long and it must be as wide as the boat for at least 50 cm. The inner surface of the enclosed part must be smooth and no structure of any sort may restrict the inner width of the coxswain’s section.
Bow Balls: The bows of all boats shall be fitted with a solid ball shape, minimum diameter 4 cm which covers the point of the bow and is bright white. If this is an external part it shall be firmly affixed to the bow of the boat such that it does not significantly deflect if a side force is applied. If it is an integral part of the hull construction, it shall afford equivalent protection and visibility.
Flotation: see Boat Flotation Test Protocol
Quick release foot stretchers: In all boats the foot stretchers, shoes or other devices holding the feet of the rowers shall be a type which allows the rowers to get clear of the boat with no delay in an emergency.
Oars
Oars: All parts of the oar shall be fixed in place and incapable of movement independent of the movement of the oar as a whole during rowing
Oar Blade Thickness: Oar blades may not be less than 5 mm thick for sweep oars, and 3 mm thick for sculls. This thickness shall be measured 3 mm from the outer edge of the blade for sweep oars and 2 mm for sculls.
Identifications
Production Plaque – All boats must have a production plaque or equivalent visible and permanently affixed inside the boat, up to 50 sq. cm in area, on which is written the name and address of the boat builder, its mark or logo, the year the boat was constructed, the average weight of the crew for which the boat is designed, the weight of the boat on construction or upon delivery and stating whether the boat meets the flotation requirements specified in World Rowing’s Minimum Guidelines for the Safe Practice of Rowing.
All boats and oars shall comply with the requirements set out in the Bye-Laws to Rule 38 (Identifications, etc.).
Natural properties
No substances or structures (including riblets) capable of modifying the natural properties of water or of the boundary layer of the hull/water interface shall be used.
All boats used at World Rowing Championship, World Rowing Cup, Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic and relevant qualification regattas, Regional Games and Continental Championship regattas and all other International Regattas shall be of defined minimum weights as set out in the Bye-Laws to Rule 30 (Appendix R3, Appendix R18 and Appendix R19)
Minimum boat weights for classic rowing are the following:
| Designation | Boat type | Minimum Weight (kg) |
| 1x | Single Sculls | 14 kg |
| PR1 1x | PR1 Single Sculls | 24 kg |
| PR2 1x | PR2 Single Sculls | 22 kg |
| 2x | Double Sculls | 27 kg |
| PR2 2x | PR2 Double Sculls | 37 kg |
| PR3 2x | PR3 Double Sculls | 27 kg |
| 2- | Pair | 27 kg |
| PR3 2- | PR3 Pair | 27 kg |
| 2+ | Coxed Pair | 32 kg |
| 4x | Quadruple Sculls | 52 kg |
| 4- | Four | 50 kg |
| 4+ | Coxed Four | 51 kg |
| PR3 4+ | PR3 Coxed Four | 51 kg |
| 8+ | Eight | 96 kg |
The minimum weight of the boat shall include the fittings essential to its use, in particular: riggers, stretchers, shoes, slides, seats and hull extensions.
Including: loud speakers if they are firmly fastened to the boat and associated wiring for such speakers; any housings or fixings that are firmly fastened to the boat for the purpose of holding water bottles, electronic or other equipment, cables and wires required to connect equipment to provide “Allowable Data”, and seat pads that are attached to the seat.
The minimum boat weight shall not include the oars or sculls, the bow number or any other item not essential to its use and not firmly fastened to the boat. Additional weight carried in the boat to achieve the required minimum weight shall be firmly fastened to the boat or to the essential fittings described above.
Specifications for costal and beach sprint boats:
| Boat Type | Maximum length (m) | Minimum Weight (kg) | Width Overall (Point 1) | Secondary Beam Measurement Point | Width at Measurement Point (Point 2) |
| C1x | 6.00 m | 35 kg | 0.75 m | 0.19 m | 0.55 m |
| C2x | 7.50 m | 60 kg | 1.0 m | 0.23 m | 0.70 m |
| C4+, C4x+ | 10.70 m | 130 kg | 1.3 m | 0.30 m | 0.90 m |
Details and Information about boats compliance:
Boat Flotation Test Protocol
Coastal Boat Measurement (W2)
Official Boat Weighing Form
Para Pontoon Template
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Q: Who is responsible for boats and oars safety requirements? A: It is the responsibility of the club or member federation concerned and the rowers to ensure their safety with regards to their rowing equipment.
2. Q: Can I put a wax on the surface of my boat? A: No, since it will modify the natural properties of the boundary layer of the hull/water.