Q&A on the 2021 Fluidesign carbon quad the club is considering buying

How does this boat compare to others in our fleet? It is the next size down from the JC and DB heavyweight boats, designed to replace the similar-sized Elwha midweight that is aging out. The Fluidesign midweight is meant to carry rowers averaging 165 pounds with no rower over 190. That means it can accommodate about 85% of the rower height and weight that the JC and DB can fit.

Fluidesign Elite quad stock photo showing the bow-mounted rigger design. You can see it in videos and larger still pictures at the end of this post.

What size rowers will fit in this boat? A midweight is as small as we can go in quads suitable for open water. The next size down, lightweight, would probably be too tippy. Some members will be too big to row this midweight boat, as they are with the Elwha, but this Fluidesign should serve about 3/4 of our members quite well. Besides being smaller than the JC and DB as a midweight, boat maintenance managers can make periodic adjustments to help it fit our shorter/smaller rowers by moving the riggers closer to the footstretchers.

How much does the boat weigh? Roughly 115 pounds, much less than the Elwha and about the same as the JC and DB. That is the lowest the industry standard allows.

What can you tell us about the Seattle test row on April 27? We rowed the same Fluidesign model, just a slightly older one, to test compatibility. The crew was Peggy, Sally, Karen K-M and Bill M coxing. The boat fit all of those rowers well.

In what conditions? We went out in what would have been a “borderline” go/no-go call in PT. We dock-launched into cross current, wind and chop on Lake Union. We rowed through that before we found flat water in the Ballard Canal and continued on through the marina. We did a few sets of powers. Got waked by passing power boats twice and crossed into their wake to test the quad’s stability. We did pause drills and big mamas and river-turned the boat. Landed back at the dock against current, backing into the dock slip. 

How did the boat handle? It felt very stable. It cut through the chop and wakes well. At no time did it feel tippy. It powered up really nicely.

Our crew visits the Lake Union boathouse for a test row of a similar Fluidesign. Special thanks to our gracious host Matt Zatorski of Seattle Scullers. From left: Peggy, Sally, Karen K-M and Bill M.

This boat has bow-mounted riggers, meaning the aluminum wing riggers are mounted in the reverse position behind each rower. Will we be able to get used to this design? It will take some trial and error, then we’ll adjust. It will be a different process getting in and out of the boat. Much as it is for some rowers when they row a wooden Pocock with backstay riggers, compared to a quad with wing riggers. Each riggers design has its idiosyncrasies.

What else can you tell us about the riggers? Fluidesign boats have a special quick-release rigger mounting system. They can be de-rigged in one minute per rigger with one wrench.

How was the boat to carry? We carried the boat at shoulder with our crew of four and flipped it as we reached out to place it in the water to launch. When we returned to the dock, the four of us picked up the boat by the gunwales and lifted it out of the water to carry it overhead. We racked it on tier 3 in the boathouse, similar to what we do with the Buckley, with just the four of us and assistance from our host coach.

What else is included in the price of $13,750? Sales tax and free delivery to Port Townsend.

Is the club getting a good deal on this boat? The Pocock DB and JC boats are insured for $10,000 each. They are from 2013 and 2015; the Fluidesign is a 2021. Pocock currently has two similar quads for sale: a 2018 for $17,000 and a 2022 for $23,000. Vespoli has six similar 2018 and 2019 quads for sale that range from $20,900 to $26,900. These are the best comps available.

How wide did we cast our net to find the Fluidesign? Ron maintains contact with the rowing clubs in emails that are distributed to 90 people and he is the one who found this boat:

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/776470_34ee5138bb94469f8f1228fcc2b4e6c6/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Quick video of the actual Fluidesign quad in Eugene OR.

When will the club vote on this? Friday May 8 at 6pm on a Zoom call. Watch for the link coming from Peggy soon. If you cannot make the Zoom, you can contact a board member before that call and give them your proxy to vote for you.

If the club votes to approve, what will be needed next? We‘ll be seeking 2-4 volunteers to travel down to Eugene OR soon to do final inspections. We'll need at least 2 people with experience assessing boats and rowing equipment. Contact Peggy if you are willing to go.

Can we see a Fluidesign quad in action? Yes, click on the link here, watch the videos at the top of the page and scroll down for more info on the bow riggers: https://www.rowfluidesign.com/custom-elite-quad/