Rowing boats (or shells as they’re also known) are broadly split into categories based on two things:
- How many blades each person is holding; and
- How many rowers sit in the boat (usually a power of 2).
The presence of a cox also makes a difference, with coxed typically being the default assumption — a boat without a cox is then said to be uncoxed. Note that this does not apply to singles, doubles, or pairs, as these are never coxed.
Sweep boats
In sweep boats, each rower has a single blade. Boats of this category take their name directly from the number of people who can row in them (with the exception of the pair).
| Name | Number of rowers |
|---|---|
| Pair | 2 |
| Four | 4 |
| Eight | 8 |
Eights are the main type of boat used at Oxford. They’re what are used for bumps races, as well as most external regattas.
Sculling boats
In sculling boats, or sculls, each rower has two blades. Boats of this category are named using the numerical quantifier corresponding to the number of rowers (often shortened in the case of the quad and octo).
| Name | Number of rowers |
|---|---|
| Single | 1 |
| Double | 2 |
| Quad (from quadruple) | 4 |
| Octo (or octuple) | 8 |
Small boats
Small boats are defined as boats with two or fewer rowers (that is, singles, doubles, and pairs). Small boats enjoy particular freedom on the Isis, and are not subject to the Proctor’s closure during weekdays.
Bowloaders vs sternloaders
Boats that have a cox are normally sternloaders: they have the cox at the stern of the boat. This makes it a little harder for the cox to see, but is much more comfortable for the cox as they can sit up. It’s also safer in the event of a head-on collision and allows the cox to see the crew so they can coach them more effectively.
Some boats are what are called bowloaders. These have the cox in the bow, generally lying down such that their legs extend out underneath the canvas. Fours are particularly common to be bowloaded, but bowloading eights also exist (though you won’t see them around Oxford, as they are banned from bumps regattas).