Hurst Lighthouse, Keyhaven Hants, UK
Why a Glide Boat?
The Glide Boats are designed as multi-purpose sculling boats by Paul Godsafe. The agile but stable hull makes it easy to row, great for developing early technique, the rota moulded plastic fabric makes these boats durable and affordable.
The Glide Solo and Glide Tide coastal sculls are comfortable boats for learning, leisure rowing, touring and exploring coasts and rivers. The Solo is suited to sheltered areas and the Tide can journey further and faster and has World Rowing’s (FISA) race specification.
Designed by rower Paul Godsafe and manufactured and assembled here in the UK. The hull designs have sailing pedigree, having been designed in partnership by Paul Godsafe with Paul Handley, designer of the RS Tera, Feva and Quba.
They are ‘relatively’ cost effective to manufacture and have therefore created an affordable entry point into Coastal Rowing.
“At Rowing Adventures Ltd in Lymington, where we have access to both tidal river/ estuary, coastal lakes and the open Solent, we have a fleet of 10x Glide Solo and 6x Glide Tide to deliver Learn, Explore and Compete to all abilities/ages.”
Paul Godsafe at Glide Boats has designed these boats to be extremely transportable with easy-to-remove Neaves aluminium riggers.
You can have your GlideSolo @22kg and Glide Tide @37kg on a car roof in minutes, either resting in J bars (see image) or flat on standard roof bars.
The Glide Boats are very easy to launch and recover due to the carry handles on both the bow and stern that make lifting the boat much easier.
They can be moved single-handedly from a beach or slipway using kayak trolleys. These foldaway trolleys can also be secured onto the stern deck for adventuring.
Other key design features Glide Solo and Glide Tide are:
marine grade high density polythylene hull has perfect durability for beach stops whilst adventuring/ general wear and tear.
handy drink bottle within easy reach
padded seat (that floats!)
Summary of the key differences between the Glide Solo and Glide Tide:
Glide Solo is 4m long/ Glide Tide is 5m
Glide Solo is 22kg /Glide Tide is 37kg (FISA reg)
Glide Solo is best suited to sheltered coastal routes/Glide Tide can also handle more extreme ‘chop’ and offshore conditions
Glide Solo has a self baling cockpit for wave riding/ Glide Tide has a transom stern for improved aft water flow
Glide Solo has a spring loaded (flip up) fin to maintain course direction so can manage very shallow water/Glide Tide has an interchangeable fixed, sturdy, SUP style fin.
“The GlideSolo is also incredibly stable which means that you can relax and learn to row, explore with confidence and that you can stay dry if you choose!!”
…Rigger dips underwater…
…Stand Up balance on the gunwales…
“The Glide Tide opens up the opportunity to tackle more challenging coastal conditions. It is a contender in the coastal rowing boat manufacturers arena and matches FISA race specification.”
…Melissa Wilson adventuring to The Needles through the Hurst Narrows…
…Triple stack dinghy trailer loaded for an adventure to Hurst Castle from Keyhaven …
