Modifying Simbo

It is a bank holiday here in England, when the banks are compelled to shut up shop so commerce is impossible and everyone can go to play. That is the theory anyway - there does seem to be an awful lot of commerce going on.
But not at chez Partridge, because today Simbo gets finished. The rush to get on the water meant that the interior only got a couple of coats of primer/undercoat and the gunwale got no finish at all.
I am also making a few changes in the light of lessons learnt at the launch.
Firstly, something needs to be done about that tummy, but that is a more long term aim. Can you see how I am having to hold my legs uncomfortably straight to swing the oars back? So the main mod today is to move the rowlocks upwards and backwards to give a more comfortable rowing action. If all goes well Simbo may get wet again this afternoon.

Rowing Supplement in Wooden Boat

Well hallaylloo, Wooden Boat has added a volume on Oars, Oarlocks and Rowing to its cut out n'keep series, Getting Started in Boats.
It's in the current issue which I have only just got because our local farm shop has been taken over by the Coop and they have axed the wonderful selection of magazines they used to stock and now hold only Heat, OK, Yeah! and Celebrity Bonking. Bloody Coop. So I had to get my Washington-based sister to pop one in the post. Thanks, Sis!
Anyhoo, the supplement is very handy. Karen Wales explains oars and rowlocks in simple terms with lovely clear illustrations by Jan Adkins. There is a great explanation of an approved rowing style (I won't say 'correct' - ain't no such thing) by the great Peter Spectre.
One thing I would respectfully disagree with, however. Wales recommends positioning the rowlocks by measuring 14in diagonally from the rear face of the thward, whereas the best method is to attach G clamps on the gunwale, get in the boat and swing the oars on the clamps, as in the picture below taken during construction of my Sandpiper, Nessy. Then move the clamps back and forth until you get the perfect action.