The present disclosure is directed to a gear system/reversing gearbox that allows reversing the direction of pivotal rotation between first and second shafts (i.e., about a pivot axis transverse to long axis of the shafts) while also translating at least some axial rotation between the shafts. In one exemplary application, the gear system is utilized in forward rowing system that allows a rowing motion substantially identical to a rearward rowing system.

A wind paddle sail assembly includes a sail having stiffened upper and lower ends and a paddle or pole having an upper fixed end and a lower portion with a lower free end. A fastener fastens the upper fixed end of the paddle or pole to the upper end of the sail. A downhaul strap fastens the lower end of the sail to the lower portion of the paddle or pole for adjusting tension in the sail. A method for operating a wind paddle sail assembly is also provided.

Apparatus for rowing in the direction the rower is facing has a base frame. A main bearing for a lever with hand grip and another for a lever with oar are in the base frame. A linkage connects the lever with hand grip and lever with oar to form a counteracting four-bar linkage system. The oar lever is the driven arm of the four-bar linkage and is linked to a rotary drive that has a main axle and virtually coaxial actuator rod. The hand grip lever rotates about its axis and is mounted to a bearing body within the base frame. The hand grip lever actuates an actuator that is virtually coaxial to the main axle on the bearing body. The actuator engages with a seesaw mounted on the base frame to shift the actuator rod of the rotary drive to rotate the oar.

A standup forward facing rowing watercraft is disclosed. The craft includes a hull having first and second opposed ends; a deck affixed to the hull, the deck including a surface for supporting a rider who may face in the direction of the movement of the watercraft; and an outrigger attached to the deck, the outrigger including a pivot point that extends outwardly from the deck, the pivot point being capable of accepting an oar. The oar is capable of rotating in the pivot point so as to allow a rider to employ a j-stroke to provide forward course correction when powering the watercraft with one oar. The outrigger can be adapted to include a second pivot point extending outwardly from the deck, the second pivot point being capable of accepting a second oar. The outrigger may preferably be adapted for longitudinal movement in relation to the deck of the watercraft.

A standup forward facing rowing watercraft is disclosed. The craft includes a hull having first and second opposed ends; a deck affixed to the hull, the deck including a surface for supporting a rider who may face in the direction of the movement of the watercraft; and an outrigger attached to the deck, the outrigger including a pivot point that extends outwardly from the deck, the pivot point being capable of accepting an oar. The oar is capable of rotating in the pivot point so as to allow a rider to employ a j-stroke to provide forward course correction when powering the watercraft with one oar. The outrigger can be adapted to include a second pivot point extending outwardly from the deck, the second pivot point being capable of accepting a second oar. The outrigger may preferably be adapted for longitudinal movement in relation to the deck of the watercraft

Boat rowing apparatus including a framework having spaced horizontal flotation members disposed outside the boat sides and extending into the body of water supporting the boat. A plurality of spaced paddle members are pivotally mounted on the flotation members to propel the boat when the framework is moved back and forth by a rower.

Boat rowing apparatus including a framework having spaced horizontal flotation members disposed outside the boat sides and extending into the body of water supporting the boat. A plurality of spaced paddle members are pivotally mounted on the flotation members to propel the boat when the framework is moved back and forth by a rower.

A pair of rowing devices is installed on respective port (left) and starboard (right) sides of a watercraft such as a rowboat, kayak or canoe. Unlike in conventional rowing the operator sits forward facing the bow (front). By pulling the inboard portion of the oars towards the stern (back) while the blade is in the water, the watercraft is propelled forward. The system described herein reverses the direction of the blades motion through the water using a gearbox. The gearbox also allows for feathering of the paddles, that is, changing the angle of the paddle in relation to the water. This is done by turning the handle throughout the movement of the oars as done with traditional oars.

The gears for reversing the rowing motion for oars is a gearing mechanism configured for use with an oar. The gears for reversing the rowing motion for oars reverses the pulling motion associated with the oar. This reversal of the pulling motion allows the oar to be used normally while the rower faces the bow of a boat. The gears for reversing the rowing motion for oars comprises a drive gear mechanism, a rotation gear mechanism a handle mechanism, an oar mechanism, and a gunwale mount. The drive gear mechanism transfers power from the handle mechanism to the oar mechanism. The gunwale mount attaches the gears for reversing the rowing motion for oars to the gunwale of a boat. The rotation gear mechanism raises and lowers the oar into the water.

A system for determining a bending moment on an oar during a rowing stroke in the water has an oar handle, an oar shaft that extends from the oar handle, an oar blade that is disposed on the oar shaft on the side opposite the oar handle, at least one strain gauge, from the signal of which the bending moment can be determined, wherein the oar shaft is of a multi-part form and wherein a measuring sleeve, which joins the two adjacent parts of the oar shaft to each other and which comprises the at least one strain gauge, is disposed between two adjacent parts of the oar shaft. With a rotation measurement of the oar by an additional MEMS, the power against time of the rower can be determined by multiplication of the determined angular rate and the bending moment.