Which of the following represents the correct stern pitch for scull boats?

• A. 3-4
• B. 4-5
• C. 5-6
• D. 6-7

Answer: (C)

Stability and speed in a scull depend on the boat’s trim, called stern pitch—the angle the stern sits relative to the water. In sculling, you want a moderate amount of stern buoyancy so the stern sits up enough to keep the hull level without bouncing, which helps the boat track straight and reduces drag. The five-to-six range provides this balance: it isn’t too low (which would bury the stern and slow the boat, increasing drag and making handling erratic) and it isn’t too high (which would lift the stern too much, making the boat twitchy and harder to control). So the best choice is the five-to-six range.