Which statement is true about oar inboard adjustments?

• A. Inboard for sweep is spread + 30 cm
• B. Inboard for sweep is spread + 60 cm
• C. Inboard for scull is spread - overlap/2
• D. Inboard does not depend on spread

Answer: (A)

In oar setup, the inboard length is tied to the boat’s spread, especially in sweep rowing where oars sit on opposite sides. The blade’s path and the rower’s hand position must line up consistently on both sides, so the inboard needs to be a fixed amount longer than the spread. The standard rule is to set the inboard for sweep as spread plus about 30 cm. This extra length accounts for the oarlock position and the portion of the oar that sits inside the boat, helping the blade enter the water at the correct angle without hitting the boat or each other. Using only the spread would misalign the blade, and a much larger offset (like +60 cm) would overshoot the proper geometry. The relationship between inboard and spread is specific to sweep; sculling uses a different adjustment pattern, so that one isn’t applicable here.