Hi! Brand new member to the forum here!
I live and sail in Port Orford, Oregon. I sail on the ocean here. In the summer the wind is offshore and it's pretty flat. The water is cold, about 46-50F in summer, warmer in winter. We wear 6mm wetsuits and want drysuits!
For safety, I've made several modifications to our H16, one of which is a rowing system. It's not perfect, but it worked out pretty good on a trip to the San Juans last summer, and here too, if the ocean is relatively flat, not choppy. I used old fiberglass windsurfing masts, 1/4" plywood and fir on the ends for the paddle portion. I fashioned the fir (probably just a fir 2x4) at the junction between the paddle and the mast. This sandwiched the plywood and fitted into the larger end of each mast. Then I fiberglassed the whole thing (especially the masts as they were quite old and with fibers breaking down). On the side of the tramp bar, I used HDPE plastic (which is awful to work with but really tough) and cut this to a shape that would accomodate an oar lock but also permit comfortable hiking out (foot placement). So it's essentially a rounded-off protuberation from the tramp bar on each side. (Photos). Ok yes there are issues: 1) the oar locks pop out real easy, especially if it's rough. I don't pin them in though, because there are times when I really need to stow the oars quickly. 2) My knuckles will make contact with the tramp surface on the backstroke. Ouch! If I adjust the location of the oar lock just right, I don't hit the tramp. Other than this, they've been great. Super useful. I find I can't row against a headwind greater than about 7 knots. If wind is 0 or trailing, it does well. I beat the current sometimes in the San Juans, once alongside Patos, I was just done when I made the harbor! Also, I use one of those foldable sport seat cushions to give myself lumbar support. This works as a rail cushion when not in use. I row with the main down and bungee to one of the sidestays. Oar stowage is against the tramp pylons and I use the inexpensive bungee ties/bungee balls, which are tied with a short segment of line to each pylon so they are always there. Questions...fire away.
