Wood Pocock singles - Teardrop or Standard?

[matt1984]

I am seriously considering a Pocock cedar single.

I am coming back to sculling after a fairly long hiatus and wonder if anyone has an opinion of the various attributes, benefits and advantages of the Pocock Tear Drop versus the Standard? For that matter, strong opinions of older cedar Staempfli singles versus the Pocock shapes?

[caustic]

If you tend to need more layback at the finish to get a good extaction, the teardrop might be a good fit for you. The reason being that with the widest portion ahead of the cockpit (instead of right in the middle of it), the bow won't dive as much during the finish. BUT, it will rise up pretty high on the catch, so you can't be too heavy or else you'll dunk your stern every catch. Otherwise, the standard Pocock single will be a good boat. Staempfli boats, from my experience, are also pretty nice; at the club we have a wooden 2x/2- that has won its fair share of races.

There are at least two Pocock singles that I'm aware of currently for sale - I think 1xsculler's got one, IIRC.

[1xsculler]

I do have a midweight Teardrop single but it's not for sale.

[bayrower]

John Biglow had one for sale, at least he did a month ago. The one he used in the trials built for him by Stan. 185lb weight. Tear drop. He wanted it to go to someone who would actually race it.

[Grumpy Old Dude]

If you are under 170lb and have an excellent catch teardrop is nice. If you are slow picking the boat up, you will duck the stern under water, there is not much there. At low rates teardrop hull feels like it is going uphill, but at high rates it will fly. I only know of two heavyweight teardrops made since 1975 and John Biglow has one of them. Pocock standard hull is good for 170 - 190 lb., good all around hull, widest point pretty much amidships, unlike Stampfli and other European hulls, where wide point is at the stern of the cockpit. There is 1 LW standard hull (same lines as regular standard, but narrower and a little shallower ) somewhere on the west coast, it was a sweet boat, I raced it several years.

[caustic]

John Biglow had one for sale, at least he did a month ago. The one he used in the trials built for him by Stan. 185lb weight. Tear drop. He wanted it to go to someone who would actually race it.

If I was 185lbs and had the cash, I'd buy it

[matt1984]

John Biglow had one for sale, at least he did a month ago. The one he used in the trials built for him by Stan. 185lb weight. Tear drop. He wanted it to go to someone who would actually race it.

I looked at John's boat. Not sure if he's sold it yet. I am 178 lbs, a former lightweight.

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[matt1984]

Another tear drop available:

IMG_1992.jpg (101.53 KiB) Viewed 1984 times

[blueman]

I'll take 2 - one to row - and one to just look at!!!!!!!

[1xsculler]

It looks like a new one like the ones the guy (having a senior moment on his name right now) is building up in Pt. Townsend, WA. They're gorgeous.

[caustic]

Steve Chapin - right now, they're still trying to get donations to keep the operation running; as far as I know, it's not a self-supporting enterprise. You basically get a single for free if you donate $20,000.

[matt1984]

Here's the link: http://www.pocockclassic.com/index.htm

Check out the Fleet - http://www.pocockclassic.com/fleet/index.htm

Both of the photos above are 1983 Pocock teardrops:

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[rowingman]

I was in Port Townsend for a boat class a few weeks ago. I stopped off and visited with Steve briefly. As I understand it, Steve's operation is supported by the Northwest Maritime Center, which is where the real wood boat building is done. Beautiful new facility there in Port Townsend, well worth the visit. The contributions are for the support of the Center, Steve isn't "selling" the Pococks for 20K. He has a new 1x on display at the Center, and it is just drop dead gorgeous (and that's coming from a fan of Owen wood boats !).

Rowingman
Coeur d'Alene, ID

[fatboy]

IMHO a wooden Stampfli makes one of those look like as 12 Grade tech shop project (produing bolts, crappy joints, nail heads...). Have no idea how they row though

[1xsculler]

I would compare every Staempfli I have seen to a Swiss watch in workmanship. They are extremely finely crafted wooden shells for sure. Down to the smallest detail they are really special. Most wooden Pococks are also very nice shells and they have a special place in American rowing history. Some of the very well kept or well restored old Pococks are really beautiful boats and the ones Steve is currently making are works of art.