Visit the Pocock Blog for John’s step-by-step rigging guide.

When you need a shell repaired, Pocock Racing Shells is the place to go. No matter where you’re located, we can get your repairs done fast – and most importantly – done right. Whether it’s a scratched hull, a new fin, or a new bow, our expert repair team will quickly have your shell back on the water looking and rowing as good as new. We can even send one of our repair experts to your boathouse.

To set up a repair or for more information, contact us. If you’re comfortable making repairs at home, reference our At Home Repair Sheet.

• Shells should be stored in a room temperature controlled, indoor facility. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight and excessive heat.
• Boat racks should be solidly built, perfectly level and give enough vertical clearance to safely maneuver the boats in and out.
• Cover the racks with a foam or rubber strip.
• Use a foam cradle when racking the boat on its stern or bow deck.
• Boats should be stored upside down on the racks.
• Rack Eights at the 2 and 7 stations, Fours at the bow and stern stations. Doubles/Pairs should be racked at the bow seat and the stern deck in a foam cradle. Singles at the wing mount and the bow deck in a foam cradle.

Do’s:

• Before rowing, make sure that all parts (riggers, footstretchers, seat tracks etc.) are tight.
• Wipe down the hull with a clean towel after every rowing session.
• If you row in salt or brackish water, thoroughly wash the boat with fresh water after every practice.
• Regularly wipe seat tracks and seat wheels with a clean, damp rag.
• Routinely wash the boat with a non-abrasive cleaner. An occasional waxing with a paste will make it easier to clean and keep the hull shiny. We also recommend Gel Gloss or Captain John’s Algae Remover.
• Periodically loosen and clean nuts, bolts and fittings. After cleaning, apply a light layer of Lanocote to these parts.
• Occasionally treat shoes with an anti-fungal spray.
• When needed, you can apply a few drops of “3 in 1″ oil to the axles of the plastic seats. (Carbon seats have sealed ball bearing wheels and do not need any lubrication).

Don’ts:

• Do not row damaged equipment.
• Do not use products containing bleach to wash or clean your boat.
• Do not use WD-40 on any moving parts. This lubricant evaporates quickly, has minimal protective qualities and attracts dirt.
• Do not use duct tape on the boat or any parts. This quick fix leaves a lasting residue that is difficult to remove.

• Carbon- Stiffness component. Used in gunwale and keel to simulate a beam, and throughout the hull for rigidity at minimal weight.
• Kevlar™- high impact resistance material. It is the same fabric used in bullet proof vests. A layer of Kevlar™ is used throughout certain boats to prevent breakage.
• Fiberglass- all purpose material. It is used where solid reinforcement fabric is needed.
• Closed cell foam core- advanced lightweight core material. The tiny enclosed cells prevent water absorption and provide a greater bonding surface with the skin.

With true monocoque construction there are no fragile, highly loaded shoulders and ribs. Therefore, with nothing to breakdown, the shell will not loose stiffness over time.

The hull is finished in the mold, thus achieving the smoothest possible surface. Paint does not peel and the use of bondo is not required. The hull is cured at the optimal temperature of 140°.

Pocock hand makes all of our own riggers. Competition Line boats are equipped with 100% carbon fiber wing riggers. Standard Line boats are equipped with lightweight aluminum riggers. All riggers are fully and easily adjustable for height, spread and pitch (including lateral adjustments), and have an advanced clamping system that prevents pitch and spread slippage.

The track length is 32″ with a 12″ gauge for greater comfort and more stability. The seat options are carbon with closed seal bearings, molded plastic with bearings or bushings, and dual action wood (back by popular demand).

The footstretchers are fully adjustable with choice of waterproof leather rowing shoe, fully adjustable (two sizes fit all) rowing sandal or the Concept II Flexfoot assembly.

Pocock Racing Shells offers a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and materials.

Corrosion happens when two dissimilar metals react. In order to prevent this, the metals either need to be replaced with a non-corrosive part (i.e. nylon) or find some way to separate the metals.

With all of the moving parts in a racing shell, it is nearly impossible to completely prevent corrosion. We have separated metals where we can, and use corrosion resistant alloys. For our stainless parts we use marine grade 316 stainless steel, the highest grade alloy available. While this particular alloy runs almost twice as expensive as standard alloys, we believe the results greatly justify the expense. We have seen a drastic difference in the corrosion resistance it provides. We are consistently experimenting with the use of various new metals, alloys and parts that will decrease salt water corrosion.

Beyond separating the metal and using non-metallic parts, we also use and recommend various lubricants and protectants that form a barrier around you metal parts. Boeing developed a product called Boeshield T-9 which displaces water from the metal parts and penetrates through existing corrosion. Boeshield will not harm paint (although we recommend keeping it off of the hull!) nor will it affect the nylon or plastic parts. One use of Boeshield should last a couple of months.

Of course, nothing is going to replace a good daily washing of the hull, all moving parts and the interior. Ideally, the seats should be removed and carefully cleaned after each row.

Hypercarbon™ is the method and the materials we use to build our top-line racing shells. The Hypercarbon™ laminate system was developed through a computerized structural analysis that determined the optimal material location to produce the stiffest possible boat.

The Hypercarbon™ K1, K2, K4, V8 and R8 are designed specifically for competition. While they may look very similar to their Standard Line counterparts, their construction and raceability have been engineered exclusively for racing at the highest level. Featuring distinctive clear-coat carbon, Hypercarbon boats boast an ultra-stiff Monocoque hull and razor-sharp detailing. Designed for the most serious competitors.

• Ultra stiff
• Aggressive hull shape
• Superior rigging

The Standard Line K1, K2, K4, C4 and E8 are designed for a myriad of club-wide uses. These models feature characteristics customer-tailored to individual needs and program preferences. Whether you row purely for recreation and fitness or like to get your whole team out on the water for a 2- matrix, the Standard Line models offer greater versatility of use over a wide range of skill levels.

• Stiff and durable
• Extremely rowable
• Worry-free rigging
• Low maintenance

We paint all our boats white to give them a simple, classic look that is fairly visible in the water. Multi-colored boats add an extra expense and are harder to maintain. To match your school or club colors we have a full spectrum of color choices available for boat tape and bow braces. With Pocock boats, you know your dollars are being spent on quality and speed, not appearances.