Starting advice

[oppyusa1]

My 15 year old son is going to start competing in races ("river" not open water). He has been rowing as a hobby for three years and for many months has taken out the racing boats that his club offers (CRI in Boston). He has never dumped himself (yet). We are looking to get him a boat that is race worthy that will not bankrupt us. I have created a list of boats that can be obtained easily in Boston that are not outrages. What I am asking of the group, are there any on this list that are not suitable for racing and why (e.g. too wide, too high, wrong shape). I am NOT asking for which is best (lots of opinion, little fact). I am trying to whittle the list down. Here is the list

Little River Olympus (with Bat Logic bought separately)
Peinert Model 25
Sykes Accelerator
Sykes Initiator
Wintech Competitor
Wintech International

To add some color to this My son weight ~110 lbs at 5,9" We are targeting a LW not the super LW as people claim he may grow (He has been this way for 3 years).

Thanks

Oppy

[Cyclist2]

ANY boat is suitable for racing. The rower has more impact on the outcome than the boat.

Having said that, of that list, the Peinert 25 would be my choice. I'm not familiar with Sykes. I have a Wintech International double, and have rowed a Wintech lightweight single. Both of those, with the aluminum riggers, are pretty top heavy, so a little more balance is required. The Peinert is a good solid, comfortable boat, and will stand up to more knocking around than the Wintech International.

Good choice on choosing a lightweight. He'll grow. When I graduated high school (eons ago), I was less than 130#, grew several inches and pounds in college.

I would recommend that he do a flip test before he gets too much further (I'm surprised CRI hasn't required it before they let him take a boat out). Knowing how to get back in the boat is an essential skill, and he WILL flip at some point. Better to be familiar with it.

Sounds like he is excited and enthusiastic. Good luck!

[johnlvs2run]

My 15 year old son weight ~110 lbs at 5,9"

Cross country and track would be much more suitable athletic endeavors for him at this point.

[jamesg]

If his coaches suggested he get a boat of his own, presumably they know which type and where he can put it.

If not, you'd best do only what the club coaches do suggest. They'll know what boat types they can store, maintain and transport and are best suited to your son and others of his age and size, and will have other boats he can use when he outgrows a small shell.

[oppyusa1]

The coach wants a boat from Empecher. When you add all the numbers plus shipping, oars, shoes, its like I bought a small SUV. I am not sure the boat matters enough to make it worth the expense. The coach does not believe in used boats. Further, the coach is used to training world class athletes so I see his point of view but it may be out of reach.

As for the comment about running, My son tried that but he hated the experience.

[jamesg]

Any boat will do, but a glass fibre training boat will be a lot cheaper than Carbon. Most boatbuilders have them in their pricelist, but usually for 75-85kg.
https://www.filippiboats.com/eng/boats/ ... gle/650-aw
Does CRI have 15yo crews?

[oppyusa1]

CRI has youth training and then you "graduate" from the youth training classes to the high school team unless your high school has a team. If you can't make the training times but want be assigned to the team then you get assigned a team coach. The trainers in the classes look out for possible prospects to send the them up the rank. It is not a formal process but it works for them.