Abstract: An apparatus for use in forward facing rowing of a boat having oars mounted ahead of the oarsman and having a seat fixedly secured in the boat is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an inboard support assembly and an outboard support assembly. The outboard support assembly is connected to boat oars for pivotal movement of the oars with respect to the outboard support assembly in at least horizontal and vertical planes, and also allows rotational movement of the oars with respect to the outboard support assembly. The inboard support assembly is comprised of a mounting bracket slidably secured within the boat, as well as a first elongate support and a second elongate support, both of which are pivotally attached to the mounting bracket for horizontal movement of the first elongate support and the second elongate support.

Abstract: An apparatus for forward facing rowing of a boat is disclosed. An elongate outrigger support extends outwardly from a mounting point in the boat and has an end adjacent to the mounting point around which the elongate outrigger support pivots horizontally. An outrigger support and handle connector sleeve is slidably mounted over the elongate outrigger support. An elongate handle is pivotally connected to the sleeve to allow the elongate handle to pivot relative to both the sleeve and the outrigger support. A handle and oar connector attaches the outboard end of the elongate handle to an oar within the midsection of the oar. A rotation transfer mechanism in the handle and oar connector causes corresponding rotation of the oar upon rotation of the elongate handle. The handle and oar connector transfers, from the elongate handle to the oar, pivotal and rotational movement as the elongate handle rotates, as well as moves along and pivots around the elongate outrigger support.