Single for Junior Rowers

[rowingrick]

Our high school team has developed to the point where true racing singles are needed. The factors viewed as important are ease of rowing, durability, and price. Manufacturers being considered are Hudson, Fluid, and Vespoli. Recommendations would be appreciated.

[Long'n Strong]

Wintech.

[Tiger10]

If you are in the Mid-Atlantic region, you would get great price and service from Kangua - the importer lives in NJ. If in New England, speak with Vespoli about Fleet Management for comparison. We have had very good service from them and they will be at every race you could possibly attend. If West Coast, Pocock has a good product and a reasonable price. Stay away from Swift and the pricey European brands. Hudson has a service center near Worcester, MA now so that might be a good option.

[Rowcoach]

[quote="Tiger10"]If you are in the Mid-Atlantic region, you would get great price and service from Kangua - the importer lives in NJ. If in New England, speak with Vespoli about Fleet Management for comparison. We have had very good service from them and they will be at every race you could possibly attend. If West Coast, Pocock has a good product and a reasonable price. Stay away from Swift and the pricey European brands. Hudson has a service center near Worcester, MA now so that might be a good option.[/quote]

Whats wrong with Swift. My club has about 30 of them from Cadet singles to Elite Carbon quads and we have no problems whatsoever

[yeahbuddy]

Fluidesign, the company provides high quality service (parts , repairs, maintenance, regatta experience ) a trade in program, leasing /financing management and a lifetime warranty. Sam, Sean and Gord are super responsive to our needs

The hulls speak for themselves atheistically while comfortable to set and easy to adjust for multiple athletes.

They set up better and are easier to row in rough conditions.
The hull is stiff, the Fluid is solid and responsive when applying pressure. It's tough, the single layer construction is brilliant in its simplicity and makes for a very tough hull.

[crewu]

Swifts are a terrific price but don't age well. For the same money (or less) Kanghua is a superior shell and will hold up much better.

[FriarsRowing]

Having just been through this (and continuing to be) here are my thoughts.

Wintech/Kanghua for women. Buy one fluid, hudson, fillippi for the one kid that stands out and needs the (possible) extra second or two.

For guys. Skip Wintech. Go with Vespoli SD or Swift. Go with Kanghua. Dudes are going to bang it up. Junior women are much more careful. Buy one fluid, Hudson or Fillippi for the high performer

That being said. Wintech has the competitior shell or club trainer which DOES win races at a good price point. The junior racer is a very good option too. Only problem is wintech is getting a little bit with the pricey

I own

4 junior racers Wintech
A Medalist LW Wintech
An International LW Wintech
A International MW Wintech
A MW Hudson USP
A HW VHP
4 Explorer 21s
4 Explorer 24s

[yeahbuddy]

Some boats are made by companies whose workers have employment rights, safety standards, freedom of religion and expression, and even basic things like the ability to live wherever they like. If the boat is cheap, ask yourself why.

[rich.kesor]

When COVID hit and everyone was scrambling for 1xs, I picked up 5 Sykes Initiators for the team. They have been phenomenal boats. We row the heck out them and they have held up well. We had a lightweight girl make the final at SRAA in one of them last spring. For $3,600, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal on a new single.

[yeahbuddy]

Sykes has been manufacturing hulls in China for several years.

I have not met a Chinese boat I like to repair yet.