Looking to purchase an Alden martin trainer and have questions
ponygirl75
buy. I am 50 yrs old and very athletic. I have been doing alot of
rowing lately, using a smaller older open Alden. I normally row for an
hour or so.
I have been looking at two boats. My budget is around $1000. I'll be
rowing on a large lake here in the Carolinas, Lake Norman. The water
is pretty smooth in the morning when I'll be doing most of my rowing.
It can get a little choppy out on the big sections of the lake.
I'm looking for something that goes fast. I want to get out on that
lake and fly. But it has to be able to handle boat wakes.
I'm looking at an Alden Martin Trainer from the 80's. It has a
removeable OarMaster rig. I have not seen the boat in person but have
seen pictures and the boat appears to be in very good shape.
The other boat was built by Small Craft and has a Piantedosi Row Wing
unit. It is also from the 80's. It also seems to be in good shape.
What do you folks here think? Thanks!
ATP*
"ponygirl75" <jo...@crazyhorsepainting.com> wrote in message
news:cceefb85-ac55-4799...@z33g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
In my experience as a strictly recreational rower, open boats with low
gunwales can't handle much chop,although I have not tried an Alden. If there
is any size cockpit it will fill with water in minutes. You might want to
consider something like a Maas 24, especially if you are looking for
something that is fast and can handle some rough water. Understand that you
will be almost sitting in water as the waves wash over...
Jonny
Might be a bit outdated and slow if my memory of a couple of Aldens
I've seen before is anything to go by.
Check that the compartments are still watertight. The size of the
cockpit is probably not big enough to sink you if it is filled with
water, so don't worry too much.
The Maas 24 was mentioned - great boat (I've rowed one many times).
However the Maas Aero is a much more stable boat, yet capable of a
smooth and fast row. Both boats will row well in the rough, but you
WILL get a wet backside because of the lack of any splashboards or
coaming. Not sure of the second hand price or availability of the Maas
boats.
Always use your brain when rowing on more open water, especially if
going solo. Take a mobile phone in a dry pack (I can actually use my
phone through my dry pack) for emergencies. Don't forget to let
someone know where you are going and when you are due back.
Roger
The budget is the problem here. Alden 16s are pretty common at that
price but better boats are out there if you're lucky, keep an eye on
www.row2k.com classifieds and of course craigs list.
Cheers
Roger
www.virginiarowing.com
Edon Recreational Rowing Boats
ATP*
"Roger" <edonr...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:98f3b720-b377-45bf...@z15g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
Cheers
I found my Maas 24 on Craigslist in that budget range by searching out of
the area. The owner, a US Rowing judge, was a real gentleman and held the
shell while I made arrangements to drive from NY to Boston.
