Installation & Use:
Catch and Finish Angle Measurement Tool

Contents:

• 1 aluminum angle measurement tool

• 1 rigger line 

Note: Setting angles for sculling and sweep boats uses the same process.

Catch Angle Instructions (using tool’s four arm measurements):

1. Loop rigger line around the nut at base of oarlock pin (under rigger).

2. Insert other end of rigger line through the small hole in the center of the measurement tool. Keep tension on the line with a finger placed under the unit, to prevent it from falling off the pin nut.

3. Place the unit across the port and starboard gunwales, use arm measurements to center the unit. Because gunwales are not parallel, match the measurements on opposite sides of the unit, in pairs (do not match measurements on the same side of the unit).

4. With the unit resting on the gunwales, slide it to stern and slowly release the rigger line while keeping the unit centered.

5. When the rigger line crosses the desired catch angle on the protractor-like face of the unit, confirm that the unit is centered. Adjust, if necessary. Mark the gunwale where the rigger line crosses the gunwale.

6. This is the catch angle as measured from the center of the pin. To account for the width of the oarlock, oar sleeve, and oar shaft in sweep boats, mark another line 3 cm parallel to and toward the stern of the first marking. In sculling, mark a line 2 cm to stern. Align the bow side of the oar handle with this second marking to achieve the desired catch angle. For more information, please visit the How to Position an Oar to Reach a Catch Angle Set From the Oarlock Pin blog post.

Finish Angle Instructions (using tool’s four arm measurements):

• Follow steps above, except move the measurement tool to bow.

Catch Angle Instructions (using centerline):

1. Tape one end of a centerline to the stern and the other to the bow.

2. Secure the line with tape on wing riggers or footboards. Be sure to measure and center the line before taping it in place to ensure the line is centered the entire length of the boat (Taping the line every two seats should suffice in eights and fours).

3. Loop rigger line around the nut at base of oarlock pin (under rigger).

4. Insert other end of rigger line through the small hole in the center of the measurement tool. Keep tension on the line with a finger placed under the unit, to prevent it from falling off he pin nut.

5. Place the unit across the port and starboard gunwales, under the centerline.

6. With the unit resting on the gunwales, slide it to stern and slowly release the rigger line. Keep the unit centered by aligning the 90° line across the face of the unit with the centerline.

7. When the rigger line crosses the desired catch angle on the protractor-like face of the unit, confirm that the unit is centered. Adjust, if necessary. Mark the gunwale where the rigger line crosses the gunwale.

8. This is the catch angle as measured from the center of the pin. To account for the width of the oarlock, oar sleeve, and oar shaft in sweep boats, mark another line 3 cm parallel to and toward the stern of the first marking. In sculling, mark a line 2 cm to stern. Align the bow side of the oar handle with this second marking to achieve the desired catch angle. For more information, please visit the How to Position an Oar to Reach a Catch Angle Set From the Oarlock Pin blog post.

9. For coxless boats or bow-coxed fours, the stroke seat catch angle needs to be measured on the stern deck. Drape a towel across the deck to protect it.

Finish Angle Instructions (using centerline):

• Follow steps above, except move the measurement tool to bow.