Another unusual idea from rowing’s past was a modification designed to remove water from inside boats.
Whilst single sculls and most doubles have an angled self-bailer built into the shell behind the sculler’s stretcher, this idea was for larger boats, such as the eight shown in the video below. Like the self-bailer in a scull, this idea relied on the sternward surge produced in any water in the bottom of a shell by the rowers’ taking the catch (catching the water at the start of the stroke). This effect was, however, supposedly enhanced by hinged flaps which opened sternward to allow water to move aft but then closed to prevent it moving back again. Ultimately the water would be driven out of the boat through openings in the back of the coxswain seat.
Another novel concept that didn’t really take off and is, of course, irrelevant in boats of modern design.