The Moray Gig Leaving Portsoy Old Harbour
When it comes to oars, everyone will tell you that size is not everything. However you have to admire the magnificent sight of the huge oars on the Moray Gig. The picure above shows her being rowed with just eight oars, although the standard rig is with ten. The shortest at the bow is 14′ 2″, next oar 2 is 16′ 2″, oars 4/5/6/7/8 are 18′ 6″ and oars 3/9/10 are 17′ 5″. Gary Hunt of www.moraygig.com says that he is not sure how it works out but routinely the smallest person gets the biggest oar!
For more information about the experience of oar use and oar building for the St Ayles skiffs, click on the oars tab above (shortly to be moved to the” boat building” section of the website.
The Moray Gig is an Atlantic Challenge Gig, a class based on an 18th century ships boat, 38′ in length with a beam of 6’9″. The Atlantic Challenge is sail training organisation operating in a number of countries focussed on developing, sharing and encouraging the skills of the sea, with activities “bringing young people together with the intent of fostering cultural and global understanding and personal development through challenge and education.” The Moray Gig is available for bookings throughout the summer season at its home port of Findhorn.