DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a rowing boat. In general, the present invention relates to rowing, where the boats are propelled using oars to which one or more rowers impart a thrusting force.

Background art

Rowing is an Olympic sport practised by both professional and amateur athletes all over the world. Rowing is a sport with a noble tradition and provides a competitive stage for countries where winning an Olympic medal is considered to be the ultimate goal.

Rowing is practised using boats of the conventional type which comprise a hull, a carriage or seat which slides along the hull, a footrest and an outrigger which are fixed to the hull; the oars are housed in the oarlocks of the outrigger and allow the propulsion of the boat during the rowing movement performed by the rower.

The functions which the parts of the boat perform may be defined as follows: the hull ensures floating; the carriage or seat on which the rower sits allows extension of the rowing stroke and preparation of the initial phase of the said rowing stroke; the footrest/ outrigger (which form a single element) allow the advancing movement of the boat.

In competitive rowing, boats with a tapered shape are used, where the athletes compete in a speed race over a predefined distance typically on calm water surfaces such as those of lakes or rivers. Today competitive rowing has reached such a level that the winning crews in final races are separated by only a few tenths of a second, after a racing distance of two thousand metres.

Competitive sport activities generally involve athletes pushing themselves to their limits and, where the activity is practised using equipment or machines, such as a rowing boat, there is a constant attempt to achieve an ever-greater level of efficiency.

In the case of rowing boats, despite the continuous evolution of the materials and of the ergonomic configuration, there have been very few major innovations: one such innovation was the invention, at the end of the 19th century, of the sliding seat, or "carriage"; another more recent innovation was the adoption of oars with an asymmetrical blade.

An example of a rowing boat is described in the document US4383830A which relates to a rowing boat comprising a fixed seat and movable footrest mounted slidably on guides. A swinging telescopic arm is provided for supporting an oar by means of a rowlock at its outer end. The inner stabilization end is pivo tally mounted on a vertical axis.

Another example of a rowing boat is provided in the document US 184031 A which relates to a rowing boat comprising a fixed seat and a movable footrest provided with a return spring which is designed to bring the oarlocks, fixed to the footrest, back into position when the oars are raised from the water.

Yet another example of a rowing boat is provided in the document US4889509A which relates to a rowing boat comprising a fixed seat and oarlocks movable on sliding supports along the advancement of the boat; the oarlocks are rigidly connected to the footrest.

The known rowing boats have, however, the drawback that they cannot be optimized in relation to the transmission of forces between boat, oars, water and rower, resulting in a configuration which limits the performance of the boat, during the catch, drive and recovery phases of the stroke.

Therefore, at the present time, there are no innovative systems for rowing boats which are able to achieve a better management of the forces exchanged between the various parts - and therefore a greater speed with less effort on the part of the rowers - or to maintain a higher and more efficient pace for a same effort level of the rowers.

The rowing world has always readily incorporated innovations; those familiar with the fatigue involved in training sessions and regattas have always eagerly adopted innovations which, without radically altering the basic principles of the discipline and without increasing costs, lessen the effort and ensure an easier rowing action and smoother movement of the boat. Objects and summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rowing boat which is innovative compared to the prior art and which solves problems associated therewith.

In particular it is an object of the present invention to propose a rowing boat which, without drastically modifying the rowing technique, exploits more efficiently the energy supplied by the rower.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a rowing boat which, without radically altering the configuration and without resulting in a significant increase in costs, performs better during rowing. These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by means of a rowing boat incorporating the features of the attached claims which form an integral part of the present description.

A general idea forming the basis of the present invention is to provide a rowing boat comprising a hull, at least one footrest for a rower's feet, at least one outrigger for at least one oar, typically for a pair of oars, rigidly connected to the footrest, at least one first guide element adapted to allow free translation of the footrest and of the outrigger in a direction parallel to the advancement of the boat while rowing, at least one seat for the rower. The boat further comprises at least one second guide element adapted to allow the seat to translate in the same direction while rowing, and at least one elastic element that connects the seat to the hull, the elastic element being configured to exert a pulling force for the propulsion of the hull, this pulling force transferring energy accumulated by the thrust imparted by the rower. In other words, the rowing boat according to the present invention comprises a footrest and an outrigger which are rigidly connected together, but which are not fixed to the hull, and instead are provided with guide elements for freely sliding along the hull. Moreover, the rowing boat comprises an elastic element which connects the hull to the seat carriage, also slideable on guide elements. This elastic element transmits, in relation to the hull, the movement created by the thrust of the rower seated on the seat, which also acts on the assembly comprising footrest and outrigger connected together.

Thus, the overall movement of the rower/ boat system is rendered more efficient. In fact, the elastic element is configured to accumulate energy during an active phase of the rowing stroke where the oars are immersed in the water and to release said energy for propulsion of the hull.

According to the invention, therefore, the rigid connection between hull, footrest/ outrigger and seat is replaced by an elastic connection between hull and seat; in this way, each element forming the rowing boat is used in a more efficient manner so as to fully exploit the energy supplied by the rower.

Advantageously, the elastic element allows distribution of energy between the rower, who operates the oars, and the hull. This elastic element acts as an indirect transmission so that the thrust force is conveyed in a controlled and smooth manner, being averaged over a longer time period, thus contributing to a more effective and constant propulsion of the boat.

Advantageously, the rowing boat according to the present invention allows to reduce the recoil effect in relation to the hull, in particular during the catch phase of the rowing stroke, reducing waste of energy.

Advantageously, the rowing boat according to the present invention allows to reduce instability of the boat due to impulsive action of the rowing forces which tend to unbalance the hull; in particular, in the rowing boat according to the present invention the tendency to pitch is reduced.

Advantageously, the rowing boat according to the present invention allows to reduce the effort for the rower, in particular during the catch phase of the rowing stroke, when more effort is required.

Advantageously, the rowing boat according to the present invention allows to reduce the influence of the displacement of the rower's weight, in particular during the recovery phase of the rowing stroke.

Advantageously, the presence of an elastic element such as that used in the boat according to the present invention, provides a further adjustment parameter, for stimulating competition in sports regattas. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the detailed description which follows of a number of exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

These exemplifying embodiments are described with reference to the attached drawings which are also provided by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a boat according to the present invention.

- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the boat shown in Figure 1. - Figure 3 shows in schematic form a second embodiment of a boat according to the present invention, viewed from above.

- Figure 4 shows in schematic form the boat according to Figure 3, in a cross-sectioned side view.

- Figure 5 shows an example of the movement of conventional boat during the various phases of the rowing stroke.

- Figure 6 shows an example of the movement of a boat according to the present invention during the same various phases of the rowing stroke.

- Figure 7 shows in schematic form a third embodiment of a boat according to the present invention, viewed from above.

- Figure 8 shows in schematic form the boat according to Figure 7, in a cross-sectioned side view.

- Figure 9 shows in schematic form a fourth embodiment of a boat according to the present invention, viewed from above.

- Figure 10 shows in schematic form the boat according to Figure 9, in a cross-sectioned side view.

- Figure 1 1 shows in schematic form a fifth embodiment of a boat according to the present invention, viewed from above.

- Figure 12 shows in schematic form the boat according to Figure 1 1 , in a cross-sectioned side view.

- Figure 13 shows in schematic form a sixth embodiment of a boat according to the present invention, viewed from above. - Figure 14 shows in schematic form the boat according to Figure 13, in a cross-sectioned side view.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a boat 101 according to the present invention. The boat 101 comprises a hull 102 designed to float, a seat 103 for seating a rower, a footrest 104 for the rower's feet, an outrigger 105 for housing a pair of oars 106 by means of which the rower propels the boat 101.

The boat 101 is for a single rower, who operates a pair of oars; the present invention may be extended to boats housing more than one rower and to boats where each rower operates a single oar housed in the outrigger.

Figure 2 shows in greater detail a perspective cross-sectional view of the boat 101.

The outrigger 105 is rigidly connected to the footrest 104, and a guide element, that is a pair of tracks 201 and associated sliding supports 202 which are mounted on the hull 201 , allows free translation of the footrest 104 and of the outrigger 105 in a direction parallel to the direction of advancement of the boat 101 , during rowing.

The seat 103 also comprises a respective guide element which comprises the tracks 203 and the sliding support 204 mounted on the hull 102; this guide element is designed to allow supporting and translation of the seat 103 in the same parallel direction, during rowing.

Clearly, the constructional form of the guide elements 201 , 202, 203 and 204 may vary, varying for example the number or the configuration of sliding supports and guides.

It can be seen that the guide element shown by way of example in the present embodiment is the most intuitive and readily comprehensible one, while another more effective embodiment, from the point of view of the reduction of the friction, comprises a longitudinal beam, which will be further described with reference to Figures 7- 14.

The boat 101 comprises at least one elastic element 205, such as an elastic or a spring, fixed to the hub 102 at the end 206. The elastic element 205 is connected at the other end to the seat 103 and is therefore configured to exert an elastic pulling force between the seat and the hull. This pulling force exerts a hauling force on the hull 102, pulling it forwards with respect to the position of the rower seated on the seat 102, during rowing. In this way, this pulling force transfers energy accumulated by the thrust imparted by the rower, for propulsion of the hull 102. In this preferred embodiment, the elastic element 205 passes inside a slot formed in the outrigger 105, without being constrained thereto.

As will be further explained, during rowing essentially three phases are distinguished: a catch phase, where the rower immerses the oars in the water and pushes with his/her legs against the footrest; a drive phase where, once pushing with the legs has terminated, the rower continues to operate the oars by means of pulling with the trunk and arms; and a recovery phase, where the rower assumes again the initial position, while keeping the oars out of the water.

In the boat 101 according to the present invention, during the catch phase, the elastic element 205 is tensioned by the advancing movement of the seat 103 of the rower, caused by pushing with the legs against the footrest 104; in this way, the elastic element 205 accumulates energy. Then, during the drive phase, the tensioning force provided by the legs which acts on the elastic element 205 ceases such that the elastic element contracts, exerting a pulling force between seat 103 and hull 102. Since, during the drive phase, the rower keeps the oars immersed in the water, the pulling force of the elastic element tends to cause the hull to advance, with respect to the centre of gravity of the rower. The hull 102 of the boat therefore receives an additional thrust in the advancing direction, as a result of the pulling force.

During the recovery phase, the pulling force preferably terminates depending on the suitably defined characteristics of the elastic element, including the elastic constant.

During recovery, the rower draws up his / her legs so that the seat 103 and the footrest 105 are brought back into the initial position, ready to perform the rowing stroke again. In particular, the footrest 104 and the outrigger 105 move towards the rower when he/she prepares for the next catch phase.

Once the recovery phase has finished, when the oars are about to be immersed again for the catch phase, the rower of the boat 101 does not brake his/her movement, since while crouching he/she has not brought his/her weight towards the stern of the boat, being already repositioned by the pulling force of the elastic element 205; the rower of the boat 101 is therefore not subject to a further deceleration in order to recover the position for the next catch phase.

The hull 102 of the boat 101 therefore retains, during the drive phase and the recovery phase, an advantage accumulated owing to the pulling force of the elastic element 205, which transfers energy accumulated by the thrust of the rower during the catch step, in the initial part of the active rowing stroke.

Figure 3 shows in schematic form a second embodiment of a boat 101b according to the present invention, viewed from above.

This boat 101b comprises a seat 103, a footrest 104 and an outrigger 105, in accordance with that already described in connection with the boat Figure 4 shows in schematic form the boat 101b, in a cross-sectioned side view.

The boat 101b comprises, in a preferred embodiment of the first guide element, the pair of tracks 201 and the associated sliding supports 202 which are mounted on the hull 102, so as to allow free translation of the footrest 104 and of the outrigger 105 in a direction parallel to the advancing movement of the boat 101, during rowing. Preferably, the footrest 104 and the outrigger 105 are connected together by a plate which slides along the track 201, along the saxboards of the boat 101b, and have three sliding supports 202 (only one of which is indicated) for each saxboard, which oppose the transverse and longitudinal torques acting on the footrest 104.

The boat 101b further comprises, in a preferred embodiment of the second guide element, the pair of tracks 203 and the associated sliding supports 204 mounted on the hull 102, so as to allow supporting and translation of the seat 103 in the same parallel direction, during rowing. Preferably, the seat 103 is supported by four wheels which allow it to slide in the tracks fixed along the saxboard of the hull.

In general, the guide elements of the boat will be configured to reduce the friction and therefore maximize the energy yield of propulsion performed by the oars during rowing.

In this embodiment, the elastic element 405 is a spring or a resilient band or an elastic cable which, being fixed to the hull 102 at one end and to the seat 103 at the other end, provides a pulling force after accumulating energy during rowing when subjected to traction.

The elastic constant of the elastic element according to the present invention must be determined depending on the desired pulling force, so as to ensure correct execution of the rowing stroke and to allow the appropriate propulsion of the hull. In particular, the value of the elastic constant may be linked to considerations regarding the individual rowing style, the height and weight of the rower, the physical strength of the rower, the type and weight of the boat, etc. The value of the elastic constant may be easily modified by means of suitable calibration, for example replacing the elastic element with one having a different cross-section or by modifying the length of the elastic element. The possibility of varying the elastic constant of the elastic element, thus influencing the performance of the boat during rowing, allows the introduction of a further adjustment parameter which stimulates agonism and competition, in particular in the case of boats used for competitions and regattas. Figure 5 exemplifies the movement of a conventional boat during the different phases of the rowing stroke, while Figure 6 exemplifies the movement of a boat according to the present invention, again during the same phases of the rowing stroke.

The boat in Figure 6 according to the present invention comprises the elastic element already described.

Differently, the conventional boat in Figure 5 according to an embodiment of the prior art, comprises a footrest/ outrigger system fixed to the hull.

The two boats, i.e. the conventional boat and the boat according to the present invention, do not have the same behaviour in the water; the differences may be appreciated, in particular, by analysing the behaviour of the hull during the following phases: catch phase, drive phase in the water, and recovery phase.

The first phase of the active rowing stroke is referred to as the "catch" phase, namely the phase where a pushing force is exerted by the legs. During the catch phase, the rower is situated towards the stern with the legs drawn up, the trunk resting against the legs, the arms stretched out towards the stern and open with the hands gripping the oars; the rower pushes with his/her legs against the footrest, while keeping the trunk and arms rigid; the thrust of the legs ceases and with it the catch phase terminates, with total extension of the legs.

During this first phase the situations explained below occur. In the conventional boat 501 the seat advances, relative to the hull and to the footrest/ outrigger, along the full extension of the legs; instead, relative to the water, there are two different advancing movements, that of the seat and that of the hull. The first is the sum of two advancing movements, that of the seat in relation to the boat, determined by the action of the legs, plus that of the hull in relation to the water, determined by the action of the oars.

In the boat 601 according to the present invention, the seat advances in particular in relation to the footrest/ outrigger, moving away from them owing to the thrusting action of the legs. At the same time, the elastic element of the boat is elongated and tensioned, accumulating energy owing to the pushing force imparted by the rower. Since, in the boat 601 , the hull is not fixed to the footrest and the outrigger and is connected to the seat by means of the elastic element, the overall system moves in relation to the water depending on the constraint imposed by the elastic element and the resistance of the oars immersed in the water.

The elastic element, when the rower pushes with the legs against the footrest, is tensioned; the hull initially tends to remain at a standstill because it is retained by its inertia; instead as the elastic element is tensioned more, it exerts a pulling force which gradually contributes to the propulsion of the hull in the advancement, transferring the previously accumulated energy.

In this way, the accelerations which are produced during the rowing stroke cycle affect directly the footrest/ outrigger and the seat, and involve only indirectly the hull owing to the transfer action of the elastic element.

When it contracts, in fact, the elastic element provides a pulling force which causes the hull to advance; the rower instead does not move backwards as a result of the action of the elastic element because he / she is firmly gripping the oars, which are immersed in the water and prevent the backwards movement owing to the resistance of the water itself.

The forwards movement of the hull owing to the action of the elastic element occurs to a small degree already during the catch phase and continues with completion of the propulsion effect during the drive phase. It is important to point out that the thrusting action of the legs against the footrest results in a backwards or "recoil" movement of the said footrest which, in the conventional boat 501 , is transferred to the hull owing to the rigid connection between footrest and hull, while in the boat 601 according to the present invention, it affects only the footrest and outrigger assembly, but not the hull.

In both the boats, during the catch phase, the rower is subject to the maximum effort, because in that moment the oars have a maximum angle in relation to the hull and because the hull has a minimum speed in relation to the water.

In the conventional boat 501 , the rower must push, not only his/her own weight, but also the total weight of the hull and overcome the friction between water and hull. Differently, in the boat 601 according to the present invention, the hull does not advance during the catch phase in the same way as in the conventional boat, but only as a result of the pulling force of the elastic element, which averages the impulse. Therefore, at the moment of maximum effort during the catch phase, the work of the rower is lightened at least a little; the energy of the rower which is not immediately used for propulsion of the hull is accumulated in the elastic element.

The greater effort supported by the rower during tensioning of the elastic element, moreover, occurs when the rower is less affected by the additional load.

As described, the hull of the boat 601 according to the present invention has a greater acceleration during the drive phase.

We have seen that the hull of the boat 601 according to the present invention, during the catch phase, advances in relation to the water less than that of the conventional boat; consequently, for the same rowing stroke, the seat (with the weight of the rower on top of it) advances in relation to the hull more than in the conventional boat 501.

During the catch phase, therefore, the hull of the boat 601 according to the present invention has a greater floating thrust towards the stern, compared to the conventional boat, so as to better counteract sinking of the stern which is determined by the position of the rower.

The catch phase terminates when the thrusting movement of the legs ceases, this situation being illustrated by the boats 502 and 602.

At that moment, the drive phase in the water starts: the elastic element of the boat 602 according to the present invention continues its contraction, exerting the pulling force which allows greater propulsion of the hull during this phase, transferring the energy accumulated during the catch phase.

During the drive phase, the hull of the boat 603 according to the present invention advances owing to the action of the pulling force of the elastic element, both in relation to the footrest/ outrigger system and in relation to the seat.

During the drive phase in the water, the legs have completed their thrusting action which is now instead provided by the rower's trunk and arms. During this phase, the seat of the conventional boat 503 reaches a position in relation to the hull beyond which it cannot go; hull and seat move together as a solid unit, owing to the connection provided by the legs which are extended and remain so for the duration of the active rowing stroke. In the boat 603 according to the present invention, the relative positions of seat and footrest/ outrigger are dependent on each other, while the hull has an autonomous behaviour determined by the elastic element.

During recovery, the passive phase of the rowing stroke, where the oars are situated outside the water, further differences between the two boats 504 and 604 may be distinguished.

In the conventional boat 504 the rower draws up his/her legs, pulling with his/her feet which are inserted inside the footrest; the seat slides along the hull towards the stern and, in relation to the water, therefore, there is a slowing down of the seat, while the hull, albeit also slowing down owing to the friction, moves faster than the seat owing to the headway and to the principle of conservation of momentum.

In the boat 604 according to the present invention, in which the footrest/ outrigger is movable, it is the latter which moves towards the rower when he/she draws up the legs. In this case, it is not the weight of the rower which moves towards the stern, but the much lighter weight of the footrest/ outrigger unit which moves towards the bow. The rower of the boat 604 according to the present invention is, during this phase, situated further back towards the stern than the rower of the conventional boat 504. As a result, the hull of the boat 604 according to the present invention is subject to a smaller sinking action of the bow determined by the position of the rower. Considering that, during the catch phase, the hull of the boat according to the present invention has a better buoyancy towards the stern and that, during the drive phase, has a better buoyancy towards the bow, the result is that the natural pitching action is counteracted more effectively than in the conventional boat 504.

In the conventional boat 504, when the rower has nearly completed the recovery movement, he/she brakes the weight of the body with their feet against the footrest, and this braking action has an effect on the hull, slowing it down.

In the boat 604 according to the present invention, this braking action does not take place because a contrary approaching movement of the footrest occurs, so that the hull is not slowed down. In the boat 604, in fact, the action of drawing up the legs is different than that which occurs in the conventional boat, with displacement of the rower's weight towards the stern, but with the footrest/ outrigger moving towards the rower.

Finally, the catch phase is returned to again, where the boat 601 according to the present invention has covered a greater distance than the conventional boat 501.

Figure 7 shows in schematic form a third embodiment of a boat 101c according to the present invention, viewed from above.

In the boat 101c the first guide element further comprises a longitudinal beam 805 configured to support at least partially the weight of the footrest 104 and the outrigger 105; the outrigger 105 and the footrest 104 are in fact fixed to the longitudinal beam 805. Figure 8 shows in schematic form the boat 101b, in a cross-sectioned side view. Preferably, the seat 103 is supported by four wheels which allow it to slide in the tracks fixed along the saxboard of the hull.

In this configuration, the footrest 104 and the outrigger 105 are rigidly connected to the beam 805 which is arranged longitudinally inside the hull and which is instead free to slide backwards and forwards.

In order to counteract the transverse torque, the boat 101c comprises at the joining point between the outrigger/ footrest/ beam a plate 802 which slides along two tracks 801 fixed at the top of the hull 102 along the saxboards.

In a preferred embodiment, the beam 805 is made of carbon fibre and is hollow. In a preferred embodiment, the beam 805 is about 2 m long and has a rectangular cross-section 4 cm wide and 8 cm high.

The stern end of the beam 805 slides inside a housing 806 integral with the hull; the end of the beam 805 at the bow engages inside a sliding housing 807 fixed underneath the seat and integral therewith.

During the active phase of the rowing stroke, the beam 805 is subject to a bending moment caused by the downwards thrust exerted by the rower against the footrest and by the traction exerted by the rower in relation to the outrigger, which are applied at different heights; the end of the beam at the bow is pressed downwards, while end at the stern is pulled upwards. This upwards thrust is counteracted by the housing 806 integral with the hull, where two sliding supports/ bearings are present, while the downwards pressure is counteracted by the sliding housing 807 integral with the seat 103, which is also provided with suitable sliding supports / bearings .

In short, in the embodiment of the boat 101c, the longitudinal beam 805 further comprises at least one third sliding support 806 integral with the hull 102 for allowing the translation of the beam 805, while also allowing the free translation of the footrest 104 and of the outrigger 105; the seat 103 further comprises a fourth sliding support 807 designed to allow the free translation of the seat 103 along the beam 805. Preferably, the fourth sliding support 807 is configured to allow the further supporting of a portion of the beam 805. The first guide element comprises at least a second track 801 and at least a respective second sliding support 802 for supporting the outrigger 105 and the footrest 104. Figure 9 shows in schematic form a fourth embodiment of a boat 10 Id according to the present invention, viewed from above.

Inside the boat 10 Id there is also a longitudinal beam 805b configured to support the weight of the footrest 104, wherein the outrigger 105 and the footrest 104 are rigidly connected to the beam 805b. Figure 10 shows in schematic form the boat 101b, in a cross-sectioned side view. Preferably, the seat 103 is supported by four wheels which allow it to slide in the tracks fixed along the saxboard of the hull.

In this embodiment, the beam 805b further comprises at least one third sliding support 806 integral with the hull and further comprises at least one first wheel 905 which rests on the hull 102 so as to allow the translation of the beam 805b, thus also allowing the free translation of the footrest 104 and of the outrigger 105.

The present embodiment of the boat lOld is simplified compared to the boat 101c; in fact, the sliding supports which support the outrigger/ footrest system are no longer present, and only the beam 805b performs the function of absorbing the longitudinal and transverse torques acting on it.

The wheel 905, which is fixed to the end of the beam 805 towards the stern, during the active rowing stroke slides against the top of the hull cover, while during the recovery phase it slides along the bottom of the boat, lowering of the least necessary distance.

It has to be remembered once again that it is the housing 807 underneath the seat 103 which slides along the beam 805b during the active phase of the rowing stroke; this movement counteracts any lateral deviations of the beam 805b. Moreover, the seat 103, with the weight of the rower on top, during the recovery phase prevents any sudden upward movements of the beam 805b as a result of the oars striking against waves or of errors in the rowing technique.

Figure 1 1 shows in schematic form a fifth embodiment of a boat 1 1 1, viewed from above. The embodiment of the boat 1 1 1 is in summary a boat design according to the present invention, augmented to include several rowers.

The boat 1 1 1 comprises a plurality of footrests 104 and outriggers 105, respectively rigidly connected with each other, and a plurality of respective seats 103. The footrests 104 and outriggers 105 of the plurality are configured to translate in a mutually synchronous manner, being constrained to a same beam 81 1. All the seats 103 comprise a respective elastic element 405 which is configured to pull the hull forwards, in a cooperative manner.

Figure 12 shows in schematic form the boat 1 1 1 , in a cross-sectioned side view. Each of the seats 103 is supported by four wheels which allow it to slide in the tracks fixed along the saxboard of the hull. The beam 81 1 supports the footrest 104 and the outrigger 105 and slides inside the hull without touching it. A housing which supports the beam 81 1 is fixed underneath each seat 103. During the rowing stroke cycle, each seat 103 slides forwards and backwards along the hull, and the housing slides along the beam 81 1. During the catch phase and during the whole of the active rowing stroke, where the oars are immersed in the water and subject to the thrust imparted by the rowers, the beam 81 1 is subject to bending due to the different heights between the centre of thrust of the footrest and the centre of traction of the outrigger; the end of the beam towards the stern moves upwards and the opposite end moves downwards.

If the boat has several rowers, bending of the beam 81 1 may be effectively counteracted by making use of the rower's weight towards the stern; in particular, by fixing two wheels or a cylinder of suitable size (not shown) in the top part of the housing, the beam, when it moves upwards (active phase of the rowing stroke), pushes against the two wheels or cylinder, and the rower's weight at stern prevents a further upwards movement, keeping the beam in position also in the event of the oars striking against waves or of errors in the rowing technique.

In an alternative and precautionary embodiment, it is however possible to envisage a housing integral with the hull where there are two sliding supports/bearings, adapted to oppose, if necessary, this upwards thrusting of the beam 81 1.

Figure 13 shows in schematic form a sixth embodiment of a boat 1 1 1b, viewed from above.

The boat 1 1 1 comprises a plurality of footrests 104 and outriggers 105, which respectively rigidly connected with each other, and a plurality of respective seats 103. The footrests 104 and outriggers 105 of the plurality are configured to translate in a mutually synchronous manner, being constrained to a same beam 81 lb.

All the seats 103 comprise a respective elastic element 405 configured to provide respective pulling forces for pulling the hull forwards.

Figure 14 shows in schematic form the boat 1 1 1b, in a cross-sectioned side view. The embodiment of the boat 1 1 1b according to the present invention is a further solution augmented to include several rowers, in particular two rowers. The seat 103 is supported by four wheels which allow it to slide in the tracks fixed along the saxboard of the hull. The beam 81 1b supports the footrest 104 and the outrigger 105 and slides inside the hull without touching it.

A housing 900 which supports the beam 81 1b is fixed underneath each seat 103. During the rowing stroke cycle, each seat 103 slides backwards and forwards along the hull, and the housing 900 slides along the beam 81 1b.

In this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a housing for the beam 81 lb which is integral with the hull, since the housings 900, where sliding supports /bearings are present, allowing free sliding of the beam 81 1b inside them, provide suitable support therefor. It is clear that many variants of the exemplified system are possible for the person skilled in the art, without nonetheless departing from the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

For example, although the boat has been described in connection with an outrigger for two oars, the person skilled in the art could adapt it to become an outrigger for a single oar, where applicable for the type of boat in question.

Moreover, for example, the specific embodiments of tracks, sliding supports, wheels generally referred to as "guide elements", may be defined in an alternative manner by the person skilled in the art, in accordance with good design criteria.

Also, regarding the details relating to materials and boat dimensions, these may be established in accordance with the constructional criteria of known boats. In the present description and in the attached drawings, the dimensions and form of the guide elements and the associated fixtures on the hull have not been fully defined; the expert skilled in the art may define these constructional details of the boat during a development and test phase, comprising any required field tests. The present description is therefore provided by way of an illustrative non- limiting example of the present invention, for the benefit of the person skilled in the art.