ECHO TECH SHEET

(from an Interview with Douglas Martin, the Designer)

Overall Intent

• To make a versatile knock-about shell with the utmost simplicity of operation that is safe stable and seaworthy yet lively and fun to row even for experts.

 
Long Delta Keel

• For beaching, and sliding on docks, racks and to enable opening the bailer on a dock for rain drainage.

• Provides lateral plane area to reduce sideslip in crosswinds.

• Low aspect delta shape to resist stalling (hang on) compared to high aspect fin.

• Tuned to combine:

  • Easy maneuverability in close quarters and in currents.

  • Average out the turning effect of wind when rowed at any angle to the wind.

  • Strong tracking at high speed and when towed (also influence of hull shape on this property.

Hull Characteristics

The hull design considerations for an 18-foot recreational shell differ from those for a 25-foot or longer racing shell.  On the short hull, wave drag will dominate over skin friction.  If a short hull is rounded fashion to minimize skin friction, it will pull huge waves at moderate to high power and feel bogged down with the stern even immersing on some boats.  On the other hand, with favorable dynamic shaping a short hull can rise into the semi-planing regime at moderate to high power and actually move faster in proportion to length than a racing shell.

• Transom stern with S-shape buttock lines.

  • Resists suction and squatting at high power.

  • Enables water to break away cleanly at speed.

• High water plane area

  • Low sinkage – 1 inch per 100 lbs.  Means only a small adjustment in oarlock height for large changes in weight.

  • Helps with skimming.

• Hard Chines.

  • Maximize stability for a given beam.

• Bow Shape

  • U-shaped sections forward

                  Speed in flat water

                  Soft in waves

• Wide and cupped at top to punch through waves.

 Oarlock spread 63 inches / 160 cm

Seat edge through the pin 2 3/8 inches / 6cm

This is deemed sufficient for rowing a boat the length and weight of the Echo.  If an experienced rower wants to increase range, the factory can offer a custom solution. 
 

Folding Rigger

      Designed stiff enough so that deflection under normal rowing loads is not apparent to the rower.

      Industry rule of thumb: If rigging is stiff enough, it is strong enough.

The Echo rigging is designed to give way progressively if subject to an overwhelming load in an accident. First the E-clip will break if the force is upward, next the mounting bracket should tear, and finally the mounting bolts should pull out with repairable localized damage. 
 

Rolled Gunwale

For easy re-entry from water.  As the intended users of the Echo range from children and low time rowers to experienced rowers alone in the wild, self-rescue is of prime importance.

Reserve stabilizing buoyancy along cockpit edge offering as well, visual and tactile sense of security and comfort.

Generous grip for lifting even with mittens

Deflects spray especially when peaking on a wave amidships. 
 

Attachment Points

      Strong 3/8-inch holes at bow and stern for towing, chain towing, and tie down.

      U-bolts at rigger serve as tie points and pass-through for security cables. 
 

Surfing

      The high-speed characteristics of the Echo hull make it fun to surf.

In learning to surf, pay attention to your fore and aft position depending on requirements of the moment.  You will at times have to bring your weight as aft as possible. 
 

Layup

      Hull vacuum laminated

• Two layers of 8.2 oz stitched flat-yarn cloth over 5.4 oz polyester cloth core.

• Spot reinforcements of unidirectional glass and 1208 double-bias glass.

Deck vacuum laminated

• (2) 8.2 oz stitched flat-yarn cloth.

• Spot reinforcements of 1208 double-bias and unidirectional glass.

Rigger Arm

• 3 layers 8 oz woven glass cloth laid on bias.

• Spot reinforcements of unidirectional carbon.

• H-80 Divinycell core with reinforced tubing for bolts.

ACE TECH SHEET

( from an Interview with Doug Martin, Designer) 
 

Overall Intent

• Sole intent is to win races that involve a combination of open and flat water such as the Blackburn.

• If the boat does well in races, it adapts to almost anything.

• Designed for open water rowing, especially surfing downwind.

• Very important to encourage racers to take risks by making it very easy to reboard the ACE from the water.

• ACE quality makes it easy to reboard for anyone.

 
In the experiments it became apparent that traditional flat decks submarine easily in open water and in powerboat wakes. 

Traditional cockpit arrangements especially those with wash boxes capture large volumes of water that weight in the 100’s of lbs. 

The ACE design evolved by successive trials to an arched deck contour that slices easily through waves and water entrapment volume is reduced to 2 heel pockets. 

The low rounded “saddle” area at the seat track both sheds water and gives unprecedented ease to remounting. 

With this new technology, rowers find they can develop new reflexes when rowing in waves

• Keep power on in conditions where others will submarine

• Opening new doors in rowing performance

• ACE will allow development of techniques that encourage people to row 24’ shells in conditions they never thought possible.

• Product that can handle conditions.

• Encourage rapid improvement

Fat hull in flat water 

Greatest margin in rough water 

A mystical paradox of natural stillness and deliberate motion, an organic design that flows smoothly through the water with hardly a ripple, perfect for high performance rowing by a highly skilled oarsman.