{
  "abstract": "Stern-sculling is a traditional form of human-powered boat propulsion in which a single oar is oscillated laterally at the stern. In this study, we investigate this propulsion technique from a hydrodynamic perspective by continuously measuring the oar kinematics, the boat motion, and the forces acting on the oar across a broad range of boat speeds. During the lateral strokes, lift serves as the main propulsive force, whereas during the backward strokes, propulsion is primarily associated with added-mass effects. These measurements allow us to determine the propulsive efficiency as a function of boat speed. The efficiency peaks at approximately 65\\% at an intermediate speed and then decreases progressively to approximately 25\\% at higher speeds. These results provide insight into the hydrodynamic mechanisms governing this traditional mode of propulsion and highlight the effectiveness of stern-sculling at moderate speeds.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2610.23444",
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Gildas Roudaut"
    },
    {
      "name": "Benoit Augier"
    },
    {
      "name": "Marc Rabaud"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/26hqjvzthahdr.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2610.23444",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "26hqjvzthahdr",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.23444",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "physics.flu-dyn"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2212|Ship Hydrodynamics and Maneuverability"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7222940632",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2610.23444",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-16",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/26hqjvzthahdr.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:30:32Z",
      "native_id": "2610.23444",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.23444"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:physics.flu-dyn",
      "subfield": "fluid-dynamics"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Hydrodynamics and propulsive efficiency of stern-sculling propulsion",
  "title_text": "Hydrodynamics and propulsive efficiency of stern-sculling propulsion",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:33:28Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/26hqjvzthahdr",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}