Fine Boats
The fine boat, also known as the Olympic class boat, is the familiar racing shell that you will see rowed or sculled at inland competitions.
In 'sweep' boats each rower has one oar (or blade). In 'sculling' boats (such as in the image above) the oarsmen use two blades. The fine boats generally have one, two, four or eight seats. The eights will always have a coxswain (cox) to steer and direct the crew whereas a four may be coxed or coxless depending on the type of boat used.
Types of 'sweep' boats
2- (coxless pair)
2+ (coxed pair. This type of boat is rarely used nowadays)
4- (coxless four)
4+ (coxed four)
8+ (coxed eight)
Types of 'sculling' boats
1x (single)
2x (double)
4x (quad)
4x+ (coxed quad - this type of boat is generally only used by juniors)
8x+ (octuple - this type of boat is rarely used and will be for junior use only)
