In this article we set up a mathematical model to represent the effects of the forces which operate during the rowing of racing shells. The analysis is conducted in terms of eights, but could apply equally well to fours, pairs and double or quad sculls, and even (with obvious verbal changes) to single sculls. McMahon as well as McMahon and Bonner have previously considered various numbers of rowers in racing shells, and reached conclusions suggesting that consideration of an eight is representative of all possible combinations of rowers.
The equations of motion of a biased bowl rolling on a plane horizontal grass green are derived by Lagrange's method, using an appropriate representation of the effect of the green. The equations are solved approximately under general initial conditions which include the presence of a perturbing wobble.An expression is derived for the total angle of precession of the bowl, and the equation of the path is found in parametric form. The theory predicts that (contrary to universal belief) the effect of an initial wobble on the bowl path is negligible under normal playing conditions.A detailed comparison is made between the predictions of the theory and experimental results obtained on several greens of different speeds.
An analysis is made of the motion of a simple undamped pendulum which performs small oscillations in one plane while its string is raised or lowered through the point of support at a constant rate. The behaviour of the system and the variation of its angular and linear amplitudes are expressible in terms of Bessel functions of orders 0, 1 and 2.
By analysing the forces acting on an oar during the power stroke it is possible to estimate the mean velocity given to a racing shell. Use is made of oarlock force data, obtained experimentally by the Australian Institute of Sport, to obtain accurate predictions in the case of a racing pair. Similar conclusions would hold for boats with any number of oars. The effect of altering the angle between oar shaft and blade is investigated, leading to a suggestion for a design change to improve oar efficiency. Predictions are made of the resulting improvement in boat position in a 2000-metre race.
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