Alden Rowing
| File:Alden 18.jpg Alden 18 2x/1x, in the 2x configuration, partially rigged. | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Boatbuilding |
| Predecessor | Martin Marine Company |
Alden Rowing manufactures sliding-seat rowing boats. Their original product, the Alden Ocean Shell, was designed in (sources differ) 1970[1] or 1971.[2] Traditional shell designs use high aspect ratio hulls, with long waterline with minimum beam, that emphasize racing performance at the cost of stability. These types of boats are only usable on flat water. Alden, however, specializes in shorter, beamier, highly stable designs which are suitable for rowing in open water, where swells are commonly encountered.[3] As of 2004, Alden had sold 25,000 shells.[4]
The original Alden Ocean Shell was designed by Arthur E. Martin. Martin had begun experimenting with fiberglass as a boat-building material in the 1960's. His first design, a 16-foot kayak, was developed in 1966. Over the next few years, he added a sliding seat and a deck to shed water; this evolved into the Alden Ocean Shell by 1970.[1] Martin Marine was formed in 1971, located in Cohasset, Massachusetts. In 1972, the company moved to Kittery, Maine. Arthur Martin died in 1992, after which the company moved through several ownerships. As of 2006, it was headquartered in Rowley, Massachusetts, under the name Alden Rowing Shells.[5]
In the first year of production, 165 were sold. Martin also developed the drop-in rowing mechanism which came to be called the Oarmaster. This was a metal frame containing the sliding seat, foot stretcher, outriggers, and oarlocks.[1] The frame could be installed in many different boat designs. It isolated all the high stress loadpaths to the metal frame, allowing the boat's hull to be lighter.
As of 2019, Alden Rowing produces a variety of 1x (single scull) and 2x (double scull) boats, ranging from 16 to 29 feet, all using the drop-in rowing unit concept.[3]
External links
References
- ^ a b c "The Solitary Joys of Sculling". The New York Times. 1983-07-24. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
- ^ "ROWING the Heirloom Sport". The Maine Mag. 2010-05-21. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
- ^ a b "Alden Rowing". Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
- ^ June 1, Steve Cartwright-; 2004 (2004-06-01). "Two Maine firms build recreational rowing shells". The Working Waterfront Archives. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Alden Ocean Shell Association opens its membership to all recreational sliding seat rowers". row2k.com. Retrieved 2020-02-06.