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By definition, gigs are rowboats with an outer keel and outrigger. Wider and heavier than a racing boat, for example.

This means that such boats are more stable in the water and are therefore also better suited for beginners’ training than a racing boat. The risk of falling into the water with it is almost zero. The decisive, constructive point is the continuous outer keel and only secondarily the greater width. Only the outer keel gives the boat lateral stability in the water.
Unfortunately there are some boats on the market that are incorrectly called gigs by their manufacturers, even though they are only equipped with a fin. If the manufacturer gives the better running properties as a reason, it is a cheap excuse. The real reason is constructive. A curve is easier to laminate than the sharp angles of an outside keel. Doing without the outer keel saves working time and less qualified personnel can be used.

The A-Gig is historically the oldest variant. Its hull consists of wooden planks that are joined in clinker construction on top of each other. The boat width is 1m and is equipped with short riggers.
When it was first introduced, it was intended as a sporty rowboat. Today such boats are at best still used as touring boats, but mostly only by pupil rowers.

The boat was replaced by the D-quad in the 60s.

The disadvantage of the clinker wooden boats is their high maintenance costs. The outer skin must be sanded and repainted every 5-6 years. They also have to be refurbished on the inside every 10-12 years. Due to their design, grinding with machines is practically impossible. In the past, refurbishing these boats was the regular and extremely unpopular winter occupation of rowers.

B-boats have the same structure as A-Gigs. Their hull consists of wooden planks that are joined in clinker construction on top of each other.
The boat width is only 78 cm. These boats used to be the standard for general rowing and some are still in use today.
However, they were mostly replaced by C- and E-Gigs .

The disadvantage of the clinker wooden boats is their high maintenance costs. The outer skin must be sanded and repainted every 5-6 years. They also has to be refurbished on the inside every 10-12 years. Due to their design, grinding with machines is practically impossible. In the past, refurbishing these boats was the regular and extremely unpopular winter occupation of rowers.

This type of boat should not be confused with the B-Renngig .

A not clearly standardized boat variant. B-Racinggigs usually refer to all gigs that are below the dimensions of C-boats. A true continuous outer keel must be present as well, otherwise it is no longer a gig.
These boats are a popular choice on fast flowing rivers. Rowing upstream is significantly more pleasant in them. Their advantage over a racing boat is higher stability.
In Austria such boats are very common for touring rowing.

The C-Gig has a smooth hull compared to the A and B-Gig. (Width 0,78m) Historically, this hull was made from molded plywood. This material is very sensitive. Actually, these boats were designed for racing rowing. Nevertheless, they were increasingly used for hiking trips.

The C-Gig is the only gig that made the leap into modern times. he hulls of today’s C-gigs are made of fiberglass and carbon fabric.

The D-Gig was an attempt to create a modern plastic boat for touring rowing. The dimensions were based on the wooden A gigs. This means that these boats have a width of approx. 1m -1.1m. These boats are no longer used as often today because they are perceived as too heavy and too slow. But they are still the ideal touring boat if you want to row across large bodies of water with full luggage.

With the E-Gig, the aim was to introduce a sportier touring boat at the end of the 80s. With a width of 90cm, the boat should represent a compromise between C-Gig and D-Gig.

Unfortunately, some of the innovative ideas were just plain unrealistic. In order to make all riggers interchangeable, the boat should be the same width from positions 1-4. Since the boat should not be longer than 11m at the same time, this resulted in hydrodynamically catastrophic bow and stern shapes. A manufacturer who adhered to the specifications did not achieve exactly sporty driving characteristics. In addition, the riggers were not interchangeable because the angles of the hull was different.

The other boatyards largely ignored these suggestions, so most of the e-gigs built today are simply 90 cm wide, sporty touring boats.
A good E-Gig can be as waveable as a D-Gig , as long as it is not loaded with a lot of luggage. Fully loaded a D-Gig is more waveable , but slower.

Inriggers are seaworthy rowing boats with short rigger stubs. The bow and stern are closed compartments

In the oar boats the rowers sit shifted to port and starboard, the oarlock sits a maximum of 4 cm outside the hull. In the case of a scull boat, the rigger stubs are approx. 25 cm long.

These boats are the most common gigboats in Denmark. No other type of boat is so well adapted to rowing at sea.

Inriggers in wood construction are still common today. Modern plastic inriggers have only been built for some time.

Are rowing boats for coastal and surf rowing, according to the competition rules of the FISA (World Rowing Organization).
Short distance races go from the beach, through the surf 250m to a turning buoy and back again. Long distance races are usually rowed as triangular courses over 5-8 km.

The boats are relatively short and wide, making them easy to jump through the waves. Waves that hit the boat via the bow run out of the open stern again. If you want to row drier on the sea, you prefer to use an inrigger (Link zu Inrigger)

If you want to row FISA regattas, you will find the coastal boats here (Link Coastal)

Built for the very sporty rower. If you once rowed in a racing boat and you want to start training again, then this is your boat.

Due to its continuous outer keel, however, it is significantly more stable than a racing boat. Another advantage of the outer keel is its robustness. The boat does not have a fin that can be torn off by floating debris or when it is lifted out. Mooring on a beach is also no problem with the Gig Racer.

Due to its large air box, the boat is unsinkable.

The rowing boat for everyone. Stable, easy to use, almost impossible to cant it. Due to its raised bow, the boat is also very waveable.

Easy to use for all people who only rowed in fishing boats until now. But it is much faster than any fishing boat, because of its sliding seat.

Thanks to a specially shaped underwater hull, it is very directionally stable.

The boat is designed for 1-2 rowers and additional passengers.

Due to the short length, roof transport is possible on practically any car.

The boat is made entirely of durable plastic.

The family rowing boat for everyone. Stable, easy to handle, practically impossible to cant. Thanks to its raised bow, the boat is also very waveable.

For everyone who has only rowed fishing boats so far, it can be used immediately and without long learning. But it is much faster than any fishing boat, because of its sliding seat.

Thanks to a specially shaped underwater hull, it is very directionally stable.

The boat is designed for 1-2 rowers and additional passengers.

Due to the short length, roof transport is possible on nearly any car.

The hull is made entirely of durable plastic. The washboard is made of teak. This not only gives the boat a classic look, but also makes the hull stiffer.

The alternative to the surfboard. A rowboat to jump over the waves. Even with extreme waves you can get through the surf and stay pretty dry most of the time. Roller coaster ride with a rowboat, the new fun sport. The boat has an extremely raised bow, a bow cover with a large breakwater and air boxes in the bow, stern and central nave.

Easy to use, very waveable and directionally stable.

Due to the short length, roof transport is possible on nearly any car.

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Confused by the variety, here are a few helpful hints

How do you choose a boat for a rowing club?

How do you choose a boat for private use?

Coastal rowing or coastal rowing - what's the difference?

C-boats the universal rowing boats?

Which boats do you use for touring rowing?

What are Inrigger?

What are Whitehall rowing dinghies?

What is the difference between gigs and racing boats?

What are the differences between the C-four hulls?

RS-Class C boats with high-tech hulls, for whom?

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