Octuple scull
An octuple scull is a racing shell or a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. The octuple is directed by a coxswain and propelled by eight rowers who move the boat by sculling with two oars, one in each hand. Like a coxed eight, an octuple is typically long and weighs.
Racing boats are long, narrow, and broadly semi-circular in cross-section in order to reduce drag to a minimum. They usually have a fin towards the rear, to help prevent roll and yaw. Originally made from wood, shells are now almost always made from a composite material for strength and weight advantages. The riggers in sculling apply the forces symmetrically to each side of the boat.
When there are eight rowers in a boat, each with only one sweep oar and rowing on opposite sides, the combination is referred to as a "coxed eight." In sweep oared racing the rigging means the forces are staggered alternately along the boat.
