Remarkable Rannoch
For the past 3 months, whilst Charlie Pitcher www.rannochadventure.com has been racing Roxy across the Atlantic, he left us with two of his Rannoch Explorer boats to trial and we have fallen for them.
Rannoch Explorer @ LTSC
At Rowing Adventures Ltd, it’s our mission to share coastal rowing with anyone who would like to give it a try. Charlie’s mission matches ours. His bigger boats are the flagship of the annual Talisker Whisky Challenge Race, providing around 90% of the racing fleet. I remember reading about Charlie in the ‘Yorkshire Rows’ publication and being inspired by those amazing ladies and the respect they showed the Rannoch brand to help with their safe crossing; 3,000 miles from La Gomera, Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua.
I followed Lymington’s duo Greg and Jude, with their ‘Ocean Brothers’ campaign and organised our Lymington rowers to be part of the welcoming flotilla when they returned in their Rannoch boat, to the Haven.
Greg and Jude arrive back in Lymington. You can just see the Lymington rowing boats alongside the Dan Bran pontoon in the background.
More recently, we met the ‘On Shoulders with Giants’ crew whilst they trained out of Lymington last summer, in preparation for their winning performance in the 2021 race. We climbed aboard their Rannoch boat whilst it was on dry standing at The Haven, overawed at the journey ahead and keen to be part of something so amazing.
We started wondering about the idea of reaching out to Rannoch Adventure, to see if we could add a new dimension to our exploring offering. Jane and I discussed the options with enthusiasm.
When we received a call out of the blue from Rannoch Adventure’s business development manager; Nicola, we were thrilled and intrigued. Nicola and Charlie were interested to find out more about Rowing Adventures Ltd and suggested we trial their Rannoch Explorers in Lymington waters.
Three months later, Charlie has returned home to Burnham-on-Crouch, having completed his umteenth Atlantic crossing ….and is ready and waiting for our review.
Jane (Stroke) and Kirsty (Bow) trialling the Rannoch Explorer in Pylewell Lakes and the open Solent
Comparison:
Jane and I usually row a coastal double (two blades each as above) and also a Coastal Pair (one blade each) at Lymington Rowing Club and we race in the Hants and Dorset Regatta series through the summer. We enjoy rowing together, with synchronised power.
It was an easy transition into the Rannoch Explorer for us. We found it very stable, it sits higher in the water than our training sculls; Glide Solos, and it immediately felt comfortable and spacious. The seat, comfortably padded, the blades; Macon, made for easy and light touch rowing. It was fabulous to be back in synch with Jane after so many hours teaching rowing in singles. It felt like we’d come ‘home’. We slipped into metranomic rhythm with no words necessary. The only interruption to our quiet thoughts was the drone that Jane’s son Will was using to capture this footage.
Built for open water adventuring/ touring, with two hatches for dry storage, overnight adventuring becomes possible. At approx. 60 kg, (it can take up to 100kg on board) it is heavier than we are used to. We were interested to see how the hull handled all types of coastal conditions, to see how easy it was to manoeuvre and how the weight would handle being put through some speed tests. Most importantly for us as new business owners, would it fit into our fleet and offer us an additional dynamic to get more people rowing?
I can happily say that it has ticked all of those boxes.
PERFORMANCE for Experienced Rowers and Explorers
The Rannoch Explorer’s hull handled all of the conditions we tested in. In flat water, it was a smooth steady ride, with tidal flow it was exhilarating wave riding and it handled wind against tide chop superbly well. Interestingly it kept us safe and pretty dry which is novel!
It was easy for the bowman to steer a course, the response to blade pressure easy, so no active tiller steering ever felt necessary. Again, a surprise considering it’s weight and small faced Macon blades.
It was put through it’s paces with Jane and I and other competitive club rowers and some of our Rowing Adventure Explorers of various experience levels. We completed race pieces, interval training and steady-state aerobic work and it proved to be positive in all these areas. The pick up from a stationary start was heavy but that was to be expected at 60kg and not what the boat is built for. Our explorers loved getting that little bit further on their adventures and having a social chat on board! Picnics will be packed next time, they said…
I personally cannot wait to pack my tent and head off on an adventure, now that the weather is warming up!
COACHING
Learners & Instructors Perspective:
A most impressive feature for us is the stability that the boat gives for our relatively new rowers. Our Glide Solo boats have been revolutionary for getting complete beginners afloat and through their Learn 2 Row Courses. We’ve loved how they offer relaxed, stable learning to help skill progression be swift and enjoyable for all ages (8-86yrs). What we have found is that replacing one, maybe two of those learn to row sessions with the Rannoch Explorer, the progression becomes even more swift. Our rowers have, without exception, marvelled at how they enjoyed having their coach on board to guide and instruct. This enabled them to focus on technical sequencing, whilst the coach steered, until they were ready to. Particularly at busy traffic times!
As a double seater, it offers flexibility for one rower to row at any one time. Be it the coach demonstrating, or the learner having stroke analysis or simply a tired rower having a ride back to the slipway. It gives the instructor a chance to start a session in a wider variety of locations as they can safely get the learner there. As a heavier boat that handles windier conditions so well, it has allowed us to continue with sessions that would otherwise have been cancelled. This avoids disappointed rowers and reduces administration time/rescheduling.
Ultimately it enhances our mission to get more people rowing confidently and competently as quickly as possible. I also see it’s suitability in widening our offering to those with specific needs.
Testimonials
“The Rannoch Explorer was my first experience in a double coastal scull. Initially I was unsure about the high seating position within the boat. I worried it might be unstable, however once in the boat it felt nice and stable and I rather enjoyed having the extra room out of the boat.The water was flat this morning so I would be interested to have a ride in the chop to see if I felt as comfortable in the high seating position. The boat moved along the water nicely and I felt we were able to keep it moving although it’s a heavy boat. From a personal point of view it was fantastic to have Kirsty behind me, giving me tips on my technique and because of this I felt that I learnt and progressed through the session. A fantastic morning on the water and I look forward to getting out in the Rannoch Explorer again very soon.”
“I massively enjoyed heading out in the Rannoch Explorer last week. An excellent boat for adventures further afield, especially with the extra storage space for layers and snacks. The boat was very stable and felt smooth across the coastal waves.””
“It was so good to be back in a boat with someone else again. The Rannoch Explorer felt safe and stable as well as manoeuverable and quick in the water. I really enjoy being part of a team again, as well as polishing up on my technical skills following Kirsty up the slide. ”
“As a beginner rower, the Rannoch Explorer (double) gave me the confidence and space to really focus on learning the techniques without having to worry about steering, river traffic or navigation. Kirsty was right there and was able to give me immediate feedback. I was able to experience how the boat should feel because Kirsty was rowing with me. This all turned a learning session in to a really enjoyable, peaceful experience on the river.”
‘Thanks so much for a brilliant row and your company . Memorable weather!’
JS- just before we got caught in a small squall!
