Gaco Oarlocks

To fit oars up to 2 1/4 inch (56mm) diameter.

Double safety rowlocks (+ $4):
Retaining pins deployed (left picture) and, stowed (right picture). Thus always available and cannot be lost. The attaching cord knot is epoxied to the pin for permanence. The oar is captured to the boat by the rowlock gate and the retaining pin. The oar can be released form the gunwale by pulling the retaining pin out with the cord.

Gaco sockets ($4 a pair):
To fit these, drill a 5/8″(16mm) hole on the gunwale or rowlock block. Best results are obtained by bedding in with epoxy or mastic.

Retaining pins:
Stainless steel retaining pins, adjusted for ease of insertion and removal. Selected to suit the Gaco rowlock.

7/16″ adapter sleeves (+ $2 pair):
Will come fitted as shown, unless otherwise requested. They are an interference fit after boiling in water for 5 minutes.

1/2″ adapter sleeves:
will come fitted as shown, unless otherwise requested. They are an interference fit after boiling in water for 5 minutes.

Side mount socket (+ $10):
Rugged hand made sockets from high density polyethylene. They have a very workmanlike look and allow and extra inch of width on each side and an extra 20mm(3/4”) of height. Screws not included. Bespoke side sockets available on request eg. To allow for excessive gunwale angle

Double Position Side Mount Socket (+ $12):
Rugged hand made from high density polyethylene. Two inch gap allows for adjustment for arm length or amount of backstroke. Allows for extra width (1”or 25 mm each side) and (3/4” or 20mm) height. Screws not included. Bespoke sockets available on request, eg. To allow for excessive gunwale angle or more socket positions.

Why it works so well:

Ordinary rowlocks develop friction and wear because of the uneven pressure where the pin rotates in the socket. In the GACO rowlock the pin does not rotate in the socket. Up and down movement of the oar is accommodated by the carefully angled shape. The two features above are employed in the design of rowlocks fitted to racing sculls now available for your rowboat.

1. Light, strong and won’t corrode.
2. Much lower friction in both horizontal and vertical planes.
3. Will not wear out.
4. Less wear on the oars and gunwhales.
5. Snaps onto the oar so rowlocks can t be lost.
6. Does not develop slop with time.
7. Quiet and elegant.
8. User friendly, magic to use.

Fitting the Rowlock to the oars of your rowboat:

1. Lay the oars alongside each other so that the blades are together. Open the gate of the rowlock by pressing a screw driver into the bottom of the slot at the front top of the rowlock.
2. Pull the gate open and slip the rowlock over the shaft of the oar.
3. Press the clip on the end of the gate shut. Repeat these steps with the second rowlock.
   The rowlocks must be mounted so that the arrows on top are pointing towards each other.
   (See picture 4)
4. You now have a port and starboard oar. They will function much better if they are mounted so that arrow on the top of the rowlock is facing the bow when rowing. NB: If your rowlock sleeves have lugs on them you will need to cut them off with a knife (a simple task).

Fitting the socket to the gunwale.

The socket has a 10 mm internal diameter and a 5/8 (16mm) outside diameter, and should fit most socket holes. For high sided boats the rowlocks will work more efficiently if they are angled outwards. If no suitable hole exists drill a 5/8 hole in the gunwale. and insert the socket and secure with 3/4″(20mm) by 10 gauge screws. The rowlock set includes 7/16″(11mm) adapter sleeves for current sockets while other sizes are available on request.

How the conventional design damages the oar.

How the Gaco design avoids wear problems.

The GACO snap-on Rowlock makes it easier to row well! It’s as simple as that. The GACO snap-on Rowlock allows the oar move up and down easily, and its unique shape encourages the oar to sit at the best angle to achieve an efficient rowing stroke. (See Fig.1)

The plastic head of the rowlock rotates around the metal pin which remains stationery in the gunwale. This eliminates wear in the socket holes and is virtually friction free, making it easier to row.

Conventional rowlocks rotate in the gunwale causing wear, often causing the hole to become oval and creating that familiar clunk slap noise when rowing the boat. (See Fig.2)

The GACO snap-on Rowlock head is made of polypropylene, a material that is very strong, UV resistant and extremely light.

The pin is 316 Stainless Steel. It will not corrode or wear and is the benchmark for metals used in a salt water environment. It is 40-50% stronger than conventional rowlocks.