Alden ocean shell for fishing

[Shag]

I just picked up an Alden 16 Ocean Shell. It’s vintage 1973, after getting her cleaned up, I’m thinking of some mods for fishing. Anyone use a shell for fishing? In my younger days I probably could have a daisy chain skipping; but now it it will probably be the slow dance of a bomber or SP. Figure it will be nice watching the rod and grabbing it on the catch( sweeps that is). Anyone see one fishing, or have any experience?

[cheech]

With all the local rowing clubs I see them and other shells early mornings in western LIS coves, marinas, and in a rowing lagoon. Never seen anyone fishing out of one, but probably a great, fast rowing vessel. The limited capacity, poor lateral stability, and it’s design for straight line speed could be tough with a nice fish, or in any non flat conditions. The sliding seat and loooong oars won’t help either. A fixed seat, a rod holder. a long kayak paddle, and possibly some flotation could ‘possibly’ tame that speedster for fishing. Great luck with that lightweight classic!

[gellfex]

I think Cheech is right on a most points, but looking at it, I wonder if you could lower the seat and oarlock frame? The seat of a sit-inside kayak is just a couple of inches from the hull. Lowering would add a tremendous amount of stability to the boat, enabling you to confidently let go the sweeps and tend to a large hard fighting fish. The lost performance would never be missed, we don't troll that fast!

 

Edited November 24, 2020 by gellfex

[Shag]

4 hours ago, gellfex said:

I think Cheech is right on a most points, but looking at it, I wonder if you could lower the seat and oarlock frame? The seat of a sit-inside kayak is just a couple of inches from the hull. Lowering would add a tremendous amount of stability to the boat, enabling you to confidently let go the sweeps and tend to a large hard fighting fish. The lost performance would never be missed, we don't troll that fast!

 

That’s definitely a newer model than my 73’. It has the drop in sliding seat and attached outriggers. My seat slides on a glassed in set I of stainless tracks on the floor. Outriggers go through pockets in the deck and are pinned to again glassed in brackets. First mod I’m doing is a bailer amidships, there is no drain otherwise. I’ll have to get some pictures before I really get started. Anyone have a good cleaner for bronze. My dad used to use Coca Cola, not sure if the carbonic acid is still as high as it  used to be. 

[ckogel]

I rowed in HS and also for a private club. The shells that I rowed were sweep and I did a little with sculls. In any shell boat it is all about balance and the oars are your balancing tools either standing still or going forward. I remember the advertising for the Alden back in the early 70's in the Oarsman publication we would get for being a member of the National Amateur Oarsman Assn. Keep in the center of the shell ,keep your hands on the oars at a certain level and start to get a feeling for the swing of the boat from the catch to the finish and don't catch a Crab.