why choose a heritage instead of a shell?

Rowing shells are fast but inherently unstable when you are not actively balancing with the oars. The Heritage offers a different experience: strong cruising speed with the freedom to relax, move, fish, take passengers, or simply enjoy the water without constant balance management.

You give up a little top-end speed and gain confidence, comfort, and versatility.

The Heritage is not just a rowing boat. It is a platform for exercise, exploration, family time, and quiet miles on the water, wrapped in a shape that looks as good on shore as it does underway.

Our Heritage Line

The Heritage comes in three sizes, the Heritage 12, the Heritage 15 and the Heritage 18. The Heritage 15 and the Heritage 18 can be rigged to row as a single or a double station. The difference is that the Heritage 15 is a lighter launch, and thus easier to handle, while the Heritage 18 has a longer water line, and thus a better rowing double.

Which row boat is best for you? If you will be rowing mostly as a single, the 15 is probably best. If you plan to row mostly as a double (and occasionally as a single) then the 18 is your best bet. The Heritage 12 comes as a single only, but can carry passengers. It is a good choice where space is a concern, for to use as a tender to a big boat. Also, ladies tend to prefer it’s smaller size.

Reminiscent of the romantic rowing craft which graced the waters at the turn of the century, the Heritage line is as much a joy to look at as it is to row. All of our rowboats are crafted using hand-laid fiberglass.

This row boat will probably stay in your family for generations. Its timeless lapstrake hull, swooping sheer and wineglass stern give her classic good looks. At first, one just wants to look at it and imagine the quiet streams and golden sunsets where a Heritage belongs.

Which Heritage is best for you?

Click on Heritage 12, 15, or 18 below, or take our Boat Selector Quiz

Versatility

As an exercise rower, she is much better than traditional dinghies, due to her advanced hull shape, light weight, and stiffness. Women often choose the Heritage 12 as a boat that just “fits” better. When used for sliding seat, men seem to prefer the famous glide of the Heritage 15 or 18. But, when there are space limitations, the 12 is perfect. All 3 are stable, allowing the rower to stand. 

We’ve built in an enormous amount of safety flotation, much like an inflatable raft has. The entire gunwale is shaped like a large horseshoe, all Coast Guard Certified air chamber flotation. An inflatable has this tube on the outside because it must be round to be made of fabric. We have placed the flotation in the inside and made it an appealing shape to the eye. No longer do yachtsmen need to settle for tenders that have forgotten form in the name of function. This is a romantic rowing craft much like that of which had graced the waters at the turn of the century.

Its timeless lapstrake hull, swooping sheer and wineglass stern gives her classic good looks. This graceful craft will probably become a treasured family heirloom, thus: Heritage.

Equipped on the Heritage 12 is an optional second mounting station (for the sliding seat monorail) for those who wish to better relocate weight in the boat when passengers are aboard. All the Heritage models have a non-skid floor, and there are over-sized lifting rings, bow and stern, for davits. 

What’s Her Best Feature?

Versatility to fit your lifestyle. Take a partner, or pile in the kids. Clamp on a two-horsepower motor. Pack a lunch and go exploring. Strap it on the car for summer vacation.

Built with a wider hull than rowing shells, the Heritage is terrifically stable. This allows the rower to stand while launching or even at sea. One can even stand and cast a fishing pole. The Heritage also has a prominent bow enabling it to charge into the roughest seas. The deep-tracking keel and high stern will thrill you as you surf down sea. This is the first truly “ocean-capable” sliding-seat rowing craft. No more waiting for calm weather to row!