In the case of this rowing shell, the metal rails along which the sculler's seat slides are partially supported by the metal "knee" (made of a magnesium alloy) but the rest of the support is five sets of wood structures resting on the keel. Each of those structures has 3 narrow pieces of wood that run down to the keel, and that's what I've tried to highlight with this image.
And at the end of the rowing stroke, when the sculler is all the way to the left in the photo (toward the bow), I'm not sure how much weight that magnesium alloy "knee" is bearing, so most of the person's weight must be sent down to the keel by the 5/16"-square pieces of wood (Sitka spruce). I guess the engineering here is all about *distributing* weights and forces. Amazing!
If the wood looks good, I've been applying shellac to my repairs but also to every part of the cockpit area that you see here, inside and out!
Notes:
1. The sliding seat has been removed to reveal the boat's structure.
2. The rectangular piece of wood with an anti-slip strip? Foot plate: it's where the rower puts a foot down to step into the shell, before sitting down on the seat.
Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...
![Finally figured out a repair strategy [Filler]](https://media.365project.org/1/9512971_befiknou17_sq.jpg "Finally figured out a repair strategy [Filler]")
