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A group of Weyfarers rowing through Eton

What's a touring boat? Weyfarers currently has five "C" type gigs, which are widely used on the continent for touring rowing and teaching beginners. They are wider and more stable than racing boats, whilst having the same "feel" and requiring similar technique to row. Four of our boats are coxed quad sculls and the other a coxed double scull. One of the quads can also be rigged as a coxles quintuple scull or as a "sweep oar" four (rowing with one oar each). The "official" specification of a coxed quad "C" gig is as follows: Length 11 metres Width 80 cm at the widest point Weight approx 80 kg This is about 20 kg heavier than a racing four, but can still be lifted by 4 strong or 6 average people. A reasonably competent crew can average 10 km per hour, and of course, there's plenty of room for spare kit and refreshments. Our boats come from the following manufacturers: BBG Berlin (Germany) Schellenbacher (Austria - no website) Lambrechtsen & Meijer (Holland) - subsequently taken over by Wiersma These are the boats we use for our rowing courses. Other boats We have two Swift "Freedom" double sculls, which are narrower than touring boats but more stable than racing boats. These are ideal for people who have progressed beyond beginner level and want to try a faster boat. The latest boat was purchased with a generous grant from Sport England using money from the National Lottery. We have an elderly but serviceable Aylings coxed four, "Carried Awey" for ladies and have just purchased a second-hand Sims coxed four "Dionysus" for chaps (it's a larger boat and fitted with big shoes), for members who prefer racing style boats. We can also use selected Weybridge Rowing Club boats when they are not in use by their members. The late Pat Sherwin left us four Eton Whiffs, which are stable single sculls and ideal for beginners. Oars and sculls We have 12 pairs of Braca sculls, again purchased from our Sport England grant. We also have some older Dreher sculls. All these are "big blade" design. For teaching beginners we have some Sutton's "macon" sculls, which are easier for inexperienced rowers to handle. Our Trailer Because most boat trailers are designed to take racing boats, which are narrower than our touring boats, we commissioned a special design from De Graaf trailers This is built on their light-weight chassis and takes 6 touring boats.