Design Brief Introduction

Design Brief:
This purpose of this project is to design an adjustable oarlock, capable of being fitted to a variety of existing vessels through their existing oarlock apparatus.

Specifications:
· Must be removable once fitted
· Must be capable of fitting to existing oarlock machinery
· Must be constructed of marine grade materials
· Must provide multiple positions for oarlock arrangement
· Must be solid enough to hold large, heavy oars
· Minimal tool requirements for removal, adjustment

Limitations:
Ø Not all oarlocks are same size and dimensions
Ø Fine adjustments difficult without use of tools
Ø Amount of adjustment dependant on size of fitting
Ø Materials must withstand extremes of marine environment
Ø Heavy use could damage mounting bracket on vessel
Ø Tools can become lost, damaged


Testing Procedures
The oarlock prototype will be fitted to the test dinghy, so it is quite possible to actually test the prototype in the environment that it would exist in a real life situation. Oars can be fitted to the locks and adjusted to the tester’s specifications. If the product performs without breaking or otherwise compromising the overall abilities of the prototype, then the design brief will have met with the specifications. The adjustable oarlocks can be removed and tested against the normal set, and if it is indeed easier to row with the adjustable set over the original set, then it can be determined that the project was a success.

Testing Procedures Listed
1. Oars fitting to testing mechanism
2. Oars adjusted to tester’s preferred setting
3. Boat placed in water
4. Oars used to propel boat in testing water
5. Oars adjusted in mechanism during test
6. Boat removed from water
7. Oars removed from testing block
8. Testing block removed from vessel
9. Testing block inspected for damage
10. Vessel inspected for damage