Sound Rowers recognizes a variety of boat classifications. All human powered boats are welcome; the following lists are to help identify further distinctions within a specific group. Awards are also distributed to top finishes by gender. There are no special distinctions by age or weight.
Rowing classes are based on boat length. The divisions, lengths, and popular boats are listed in the table below.
Protected races are bringing in racing shells, as well as the above open water classes. Racing shells compete in their own categories (1x, 2x, 4x, 2-, 4+/-, 8+). Note that some races may restrict boat sizes for safety at congested turns. Please check the individual race directions if you have any questions.
| Rec I (<19') | Rec II (19-21') | Rec III (>21') |
|---|---|---|
| Alden 16 | Alden Martin | Bay 24 |
| Alden Horizen 17 | Alden Star (20' 8") | Echo Rowing: Ace (24') |
| Echo Rowing: Echo (18') | Bay 21 (21' 3") | Little River Pro Am (25' 2") |
| Peinert Zephyr (19') | Drew Harrison Water Jogger (20' 3") | Maas 24 (24') |
| Wayland Marine: Merry Wherry | Little River Cambridge (20' 11") | Owen Timeaus (24' 2") |
| Wayland Marine: Merry Shell | Maas Aero (21' 3") | Peinert Dolphin (24') |
| Wayland Marine: Verry Merry | ||
| Wayland Marine: Sea Ranger |
Outriggers classes are based on number of paddlers in the boat. Recognized classes are: OC-I, OC-2 and OC-6.
Kayak classes are based on waterline length to width ratio. Those boats with a L:W ratio less than 9.25:1 are in the Sea Kayak class (SK); between 9.25:1 to 10.99:1 are in the Fast Sea Kayak class (FSK); greater than 10.99:1 are in the High Performance Kayak class (HPK). Below is a list of boats by manufacturer with their L:W ratio and respective class. Questions? See our write-up on determining kayak classifications.
| Manufacturer | Model | L:W ratio | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANY | Down River Racer | HPK | |
| ANY | ICF Sprint and Marathon boats | HPK | |
| Action Fish | Empire Fly | 7.9 | SK |
| AquaDynamic | Thelon 17 | 8.2 | SK |
| Aquaterra | Chinook | 7.9 | SK |
| Aquaterra | Scimitar | 8.4 | SK |
| Aquaterra | Sea Lion | 8.3 | SK |
| Azul Kayaks | Aspen | 8.8 | SK |
| Azul Kayaks | Sultan | 9.4 | FSK |
| Bergans | Ally Folding Sea Touring Kayak | 10.1 | FSK |
| Bear Mountain Boat Ship | Enterprise | 8.3 | SK |
| Boreal Designs | Alvik | 8.3 | SK |
| Boreal Designs | Ellesmere | 9 | SK |
| Boreal Designs | Fjord | 8.3 | SK |
| Boreal Designs | Inukshuk | 8.1 | SK |
| Boreal Designs | Muktuk | 8.2 | SK |
| Boreal Designs | Narwhal | 8.2 | SK |
| Chesapeake Lt. Craft | Chesapeake 16 | 8.6 | SK |
| Chesapeake Lt. Craft | Chesapeake 17 | 8.8 | SK |
| Chesapeake Lt. Craft | Shearwater 17 | 8.8 | SK |
| Cobra | Cobra Expedition | 8.5 | SK |
| Current Designs | Altura | 6.2 | SK |
| Current Designs | Andromeda | 8.3 | SK |
| Current Designs | Breeze | 6.5 | SK |
| Current Designs | Caribou | 8.5 | SK |
| Current Designs | Expedition | 9.7 | FSK |
| Current Designs | Extreme | 9.5 | FSK |
| Current Designs | Freedom | 9.8 | FSK |
| Current Designs | Gulfstream | 8.5 | SK |
| Current Designs | Kestrel 140 | 6.2 | SK |
| Current Designs | Pachena | 6.9 | SK |
| Current Designs | Piceses | 8.6 | SK |
| Current Designs | Raven | 7.3 | SK |
| Current Designs | Slipstream | 8.1 | SK |
| Current Designs | Solstice GT & ST | 8.5 | SK |
| Current Designs | Solstice SS | 9 | SK |
| Current Designs | Speedster | HPK | |
| Current Designs | Squamish | 7.3 | SK |
| Current Designs | Storm | 7.9 | SK |
| Current Designs | Stratus 18 | 9.8 | FSK |
| Current Designs | Vision 130 | 6.5 | SK |
| Current Designs | Vision 140 | 7.0 | SK |
| Current Designs | Vision 150 | 7.3 | SK |
| Current Designs | Whistler | 7.0 | SK |
| Dagger | Baja | 8.4 | SK |
| Dagger | Cortez 16.5 | 8.3 | SK |
| Dagger | Magellen | 8.1 | SK |
| Dagger | Meridian | 7.8 | SK |
| Dagger | Seeker | 8.2 | SK |
| Dagger | Sitka | 9.3 | FSK |
| Destiny | Aquila | <8.5 | SK |
| Destiny | Deception | 8.8 | SK |
| Destiny | Defiance | 8.7 | SK |
| Destiny | Kiska | <8.8 | SK |
| Dirigo | Dirigo | <8.5 | SK |
| Dragonworks | Islander | 8.9 | SK |
| Easy Rider | Dolphin | 7.7 | SK |
| Easy Rider | Eskimo 15 | <8.4 | SK |
| Easy Rider | Eskimo 16 | <8.4 | SK |
| Easy Rider | Eskimo 17 | 8.4 | SK |
| Easy Rider | Eskimo 18.6 | 8.7 | SK |
| Easy Rider | Harpoon 19 | 10.5 | FSK |
| Easy Rider | Sea Hawk | 8.4 | SK |
| Eddyline | Calypso | 9 | SK |
| Eddyline | Falcon (16') | 8.7 | SK |
| Eddyline | Falcon (18') | 9.7 | FSK |
| Eddyline | Fathom | 8.5 | SK |
| Eddyline | Heron | 10.7 | FSK |
| Eddyline | Merlin | <8.0 | SK |
| Eddyline | Nighthawk | 8.5 | SK |
| Eddyline | Orca | 8.2 | SK |
| Eddyline | Raven | 8.3 | SK |
| Eddyline | Sea Star | 9.7 | FSK |
| Eddyline | Skimmer | <7.0 | SK |
| Eddyline | Skylark | 5.3 | SK |
| Eddyline | Wind Dancer | 8.5 | SK |
| Eddyline | Zephyr | 8 | SK |
| Epic | Touring Cruiser 16 | <8.8 | SK |
| Epic | Touring Endurance 18 | 10.5 | FSK |
| Epic | Recreational GP | 6.1 | SK |
| Epic | V10 | HPK | |
| Feathercraft | K1 Expedition | 8.1 | SK |
| Feathercraft | Khatsalano S | 9 | SK |
| Folbot Folding K | any as single | <8.0 | SK |
| Folding Craft | 500 EX | 7.5 | SK |
| Futura | Carrera | <13.7 | HPK |
| Futura | Futura | <8.0 | SK |
| Futura | Futura II | <12.3 | HPK |
| Futura | Futura TR | <14.4 | HPK |
| Georgn. Bay Folding Kayak | any as single | SK | |
| Heritage | Expedition LP | 8.4 | SK |
| Heritage | Nomad | 8.2 | SK |
| Hoby Cat | Quest | 5.5 | SK |
| Hody Sport | TK-1 | 10.9 | FSK |
| HopOnTop | HopOnTop | 6.8 | SK |
| Huki | Huki S1-A | HPK | |
| Huki | Huki S1-X | 15.5 | HPK |
| Hutchinson Design | Baidarka Explorer | 8.7 | SK |
| Hutchinson Design | Islander | <9.0 | SK |
| Hutchinson Design | Umnak | <8.4 | SK |
| HydrTufLite | Sea Runner | 8.2 | SK |
| HydrTufLite | Venture | <8.3 | SK |
| Impex Kayak | Force Cat 4 | 9.7 | FSK |
| Impex Kayak | Force Category 5 | 9.15 | SK |
| Innova Kayaks | Seaker 1 | 6.3 | SK |
| JKK Kayaks | Supernova | 11.8 | HPK |
| JKK Kayaks | Total Eclipse | 11.8 | HPK |
| JKK Kayaks | U2 | 11.5 | HPK |
| Kajak Sport | Artisan Millenium | 8.8 | SK |
| Kajak Sport | Avalon Viviane | 9.9 | FSK |
| Kajak Sport | Infinity Active | 7.3 | SK |
| Kajak Sport | Viking Expedition | 8.4 | SK |
| Kirton Kayaks | Inuk | 10.6 | FSK |
| Kiwi Kayak | any as single | <7.0 | SK |
| Klepper Folding Kayaks | any as single | <7.0 | SK |
| Mad River | Monarch | 7.7 | SK |
| Mariner | Coaster | 7.4 | SK |
| Mariner | Elan | 8.4 | SK |
| Mariner | Escape | 8.9 | SK |
| Mariner | Express | 8.9 | SK |
| Mariner | Mariner | 10.7 | FSK |
| Mariner | Mariner II | 10.2 | FSK |
| Mariner | Mariner XL | 8.8 | SK |
| Mariner | MAX | 8.3 | SK |
| Momentum Yacht Design | Loki R | 9.1 | SK |
| Momentum Yacht Design | Loki Sea Race | 13.6 | HPK |
| Mont Bell | Ellsmere 350 | 8.5 | SK |
| Natural Design | Polaris | 8.6 | SK |
| Nautirad | Greenlander 16 | 7.9 | SK |
| Necky | Alsek | <7.0 | SK |
| Necky | Arluk I | 11.5 | HPK |
| Necky | Arluk II/1.8/1.9 | 9.9 | FSK |
| Necky | Arluk III | 8.7 | SK |
| Necky | Arluk IV | 7.3 | SK |
| Necky | Chatham 16 | 7.4 | SK |
| Necky | Eliza | 8.1 | SK |
| Necky | Kyook | <7.7 | SK |
| Necky | Looksha II | 10.6 | FSK |
| Necky | Looksha IV | <8.9 | SK |
| Necky | Looksha V | 8.1 | SK |
| Necky | Nootka | 7.7 | SK |
| Necky | Phantom | 13 | HPK |
| Necky | Telsa | <8.5 | SK |
| Necky | Tornak | <8.5 | SK |
| Necky | Elaho | 7.5 | SK |
| Nelo | FW 2000 | 14.5 | HPK |
| Nigel Dennis | Romany Explorer | 8.2 | SK |
| Nimbus | Horizon | <8.7 | SK |
| Nimbus | Lootas | 8.3 | SK |
| Nimbus | Puffin | 8.5 | SK |
| Nimbus | Solander | 8.4 | SK |
| Nimbus | Sprint | 10.3 | FSK |
| Nimbus | Zoom | 9.23 | SK |
| Novus Composites | NC 15 | <8.0 | SK |
| Novus Composites | NC 17 | 8.3 | SK |
| Novus Composites | NC 19 | 9.1 | SK |
| NW Kayak | Cadence | 8.8 | SK |
| NW Kayaks | Discovery | 8.9 | SK |
| NW Kayak | Esprit | 8.7 | SK |
| NW Kayaks | Pursuit | 8.9 | SK |
| NW Kayak | Sportee | <8.0 | SK |
| NW Kayak | Synergy | 8.3 | SK |
| Ocean Kayak | Manta | 6.1 | SK |
| Ocean Kayak | Pro S1 109 | 4.8 | SK |
| Ocean Kayak | Scupper | 7.5 | SK |
| Ocean Kayak | Scrambler | <7.0 | SK |
| Ocean Kayak | Sprinter | 10.4 | FSK |
| Old Town Canoe | Egret | 7.8 | SK |
| Old Town Canoe | Millenium | 8.8 | SK |
| P&H | Bahiya | 8.6 | SK |
| P&H | Capella | 7.7 | SK |
| P&H | Iona | <8.5 | SK |
| P&H | Orion | <8.5 | SK |
| P&H | Quest | 8.4 | SK |
| P&H | Sirius | 8.5 | SK |
| Pakboats | Puffin Swift | 6.8 | SK |
| Perception | Avatar 16 | 7.8 | SK |
| Perception | Carolina | 7.9 | SK |
| Perception | Eclipse | 8.6 | SK |
| Perception | Sonoma 13.5 | 6.8 | SK |
| Perception | Vizcaya | 8.1 | SK |
| Prijon | Arctic Tern 14 | 6.8 | SK |
| Prijon | Barracuda | 9.1 | SK |
| Prijon | Cabalara | 6.5 | SK |
| Prijon | Kodiak | 8.5 | SK |
| Prijon | Odysee | 7.8 | SK |
| Prijon | Seayak | 7.6 | SK |
| Prijon | Touryak | 7.3 | SK |
| Prijon | Yukon Eskie | 8.4 | SK |
| Pt. 65º North | K1 R | 8.6 | SK |
| Pt. 65º North | K1 XP | 10.0 | FSK |
| Pt. 65º North | K1 VR | 8.9 | SK |
| Pt. 65º North | KIR | 8.8 | SK |
| Pt. 65º North | X Lite | 8.4 | SK |
| PWS | Avocet | 8.6 | SK |
| PWS | Intrepid | 8.3 | SK |
| PWS | Osprey | 9.4 | FSK |
| PWS | Sea Otter | 7.9 | SK |
| PWS | Seal | 10.8 | FSK |
| PWS | Thunderbird | 7.8 | SK |
| PWS | Widgeon | 7.9 | SK |
| Pygmy | Arctic Tern | 8.3 | SK |
| Pygmy | Arctic Tern 14 | 7 | SK |
| Pygmy | Coho | 8.6 | SK |
| Pygmy | Goldeneye | 8.5 | SK |
| Pyranha | Orca | 6.8 | SK |
| QFC Kayaks | Q300 | <8.8 | SK |
| QFC Kayaks | Q400 | <8.8 | SK |
| QFC Kayaks | Q500x | 8.8 | SK |
| QFC Kayaks | Q600x | 9.7 | FSK |
| QFC Kayaks | Q700x | 10.3 | FSK |
| Rainforest Designs | Kap Farvel | 8.1 | SK |
| Rainforest Designs | Telkwa | 8.3 | SK |
| REI (?) | Marlin (on top) | 7.7 | SK |
| Riot Kayak | Tourlite 15 | 6.8 | SK |
| Seafarer | Solander | 8.6 | SK |
| Seafarer | Sprint | 10.4 | FSK |
| Seavivor Folding Kayak | Greenland Solo | 9.8 | FSK |
| Seaward | Chilco | 9.5 | FSK |
| Seaward | Discover Aurora | 7.7 | SK |
| Seaward | Endeavor | 8.7 | SK |
| Seaward | Navigator | 8.3 | SK |
| Seaward | Quantum | 8.8 | SK |
| Seaward | 2005 Tyee | 8.1 | SK |
| Seaworthy Design | Enetai | 9 | SK |
| Seda | Glider | 10.8 | FSK |
| Seda | Gypsy | 7.5 | SK |
| Seda | Ikkuma 17 | 8.0 | SK |
| Seda | Impulse | 10.4 | FSK |
| Seda | Starlet | 8.2 | SK |
| Seda | Swift | 8.6 | SK |
| Seda | Viking | 8.4 | SK |
| Seward | Chilco | 9.4 | FSK |
| Seward | Quest | 9.4 | FSK |
| Sisson Evolution | >12.0 | HPK | |
| Skim Kayaks | Dex | 9.0 | SK |
| Skim Kayaks | Distance | 9.8 | FSK |
| Southern Exposure | Legend | 9.5 | FSK |
| Southern Exposure | Reiver | 9 | SK |
| Third Rock Kayak | Espresso | 8.4 | SK |
| TRAK | T-1600 | 9.0 | SK |
| Triton | Ladoga 1 | 7.2 | SK |
| Twogood | Chalupski | 13 | HPK |
| Twogood | Phoenix | 11.3 | HPK |
| Twogood | Mako | HPK | |
| Valhalla | Valhalla | 12.3 | HPK |
| Valhalla | Victory | 13 | HPK |
| Valley Canoe | Aquanaut | 8.8 | SK |
| Valley Canoe | Aquanaut RM | 8.2 | SK |
| Valley Canoe | Avocet | 7.9 | SK |
| Valley Canoe | Nordkapp | 9.4 | FSK |
| Valley Canoe | Nordkapp H20 | 8.7 | SK |
| Valley Canoe | Nordkapp LV | 8.7 | SK |
| Valley Canoe | Petrel | <7.6 | SK |
| Valley Canoe | Selkie | <8.6 | SK |
| Valley Canoe | Skerray | 8.6 | SK |
| Valley Canoe | Skerray XL | 8.9 | SK |
| Valley Sea Kayak | Rapier 20 | 13.8 | HPK |
| Venturesport | Black Marlin | <13.7 | HPK |
| Venturesport | Eclipse | <13.5 | HPK |
| Venturesport | Elan Crosstrainer | <14.6 | HPK |
| Venturesport | Shearwater | <13.6 | HPK |
| Venturesport | Vector | <12.3 | HPK |
| Venturesport | Venture | 7.6 | SK |
| Venturesport | Vintage | >8.0 | SK |
| Venure Kayak | Ayr 16.5 | 8.5 | SK |
| Waldon | Vision | 6.6 | SK |
| Walden | Vista | <8.0 | SK |
| Westside Boat | Wave Piercer | 11.6 | HPK |
| Westside Boat | Wave XL/Ultra | 15.7 | HPK |
| Westside Boat | X Par EFT | 14 | HPK |
| Westside Boat | X Par Missile | 18.9 | HPK |
| Wilderness Systems | Alto | <8.7 | SK |
| Wilderness Systems | Arctic Hawk | 9.4 | FSK |
| Wilderness Systems | Epic | 9.7 | FSK |
| Wilderness Systems | Cape Horn 17 | 8.8 | SK |
| Wilderness Systems | Seacret | <8.0 | SK |
| Wilderness Systems | Sealution | 8.1 | SK |
| Wilderness Systems | Sealution SS/II | 8.1 | SK |
| Wilderness Systems | Sealution XL | 8.8 | SK |
| Wilderness Systems | Tempest 165 Pro | 8.6 | SK |