Fittings
Stretchers and shoes
Most boat builders' fours and eights generally have enough width across the boat to allow room between the feet, this is not commonly the case with singles and doubles. Swift boats overcome this problem by eliminating the traditional stretcher and shoe plate system, and replacing it with a lightweight, rigid carbon system, which still allows easy adjustment for shoe depth. It has the shoes positioned on the very outer edges; thus allowing the widest stance possible. This ergonomic positioning allows both comfort and maximization of power.
Our singles have the stretcher channels located on the saxboards, taking advantage of the slope of the saxboard to create even more space, and further adding to saxboard stiffness. All stretchers are easily adjustable for height, fore and aft positioning, and rake (stretcher angle).
All boats are fitted with the same high quality shoes with Velcro straps that have a single, quick release pull tag. Heel restraints are attached as standard.
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Oar locks
From Spring 2009 Swift boats will be supplied with Concept II oarlocks as standard. For an extra charge we can supply boats with Magik oarlocks. For details, please ask your local Swift agent.
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| Concept II | Magik |
Seats and rails
All Swift boats use the same carbon seat tops to provide excellent stiffness while keeping weight to a minimum. The undercarriage is made from nylon with the axles made from anodised aluminium. Single action seats have sealed ball bearing wheels for a smooth movement and are supplied as standard.
We use 3 different length of seat rail (820mm, 850mm, 880mm) depending on the average crew weight of the boat. Seats are painted with clear paint to show the carbon cloth finish. Seat rails are made from hard anodised aluminium.
From Spring 2009, boats are supplied with bungees to hold seats steady during transport.
Fins and rudders
| All Swift boats have easily replaceable anodised aluminium fins, that are secured to the boat with an aluminium fin box. There are 4 sizes of fin, one each for 1x, 2x/-, fours and eights. |
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| Rudders are stainless steel, with the yoke being anodised aluminium. Our rudder wire is steel that has been coated with clear nylon to prevent any scratching or damage to the boat. |
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Shoulders
All of our boats, from the cheapest to the most expensive, have carbon laminated shoulders. Shoulders are the essential "bones" of a boat and maintain the shape of the hull. Together with the riggers they ensure that all the force applied to the oars is translated directly into boat speed, minimizing power loss through twisting and flexing.
Hatch and bungs
All our hatches and bungs are easily opened, but secure, most with rubber “O” rings. There is a hatch on the seat deck between the seat rails, one for each rower. We have 3 sizes of hatch, and use the largest one possible, depending on the boat type, and the hatch position.
From Spring 2009 the stern hatch is positioned over the fin/rudder. Putting the rudder post under the stern canvas
deck will avoid the damage that happens when an exposed rudder post is accidentally knocked. The hatch is positioned
over the rudder so that it is easy to access the rudder to make adjustments, and also makes it easier to carry out repairs to
this area of the boat.
On the bow canvas deck is a small bung for drainage and air circulation.