Bowloader

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A bowloader is a crew shell (a type of boat used in sport rowing) in which the coxswain lies semi-supine in the bow, as opposed to the normal seated position at the stern. Bowloaders are often seen as coxed fours and also coxed pairs. Although a small number of bowloader eights exist the larger boat's momentum means that a coxswain lying in the bows could be injured in a collision if the bow collapses. A bowloader is both in theory and in practice faster than a stern-coxed boat since the mass of the coxswain in the bow reduces porpoising, and the semi-supine position puts the coxswain's center of mass below the waterline, reducing roll. This added stability reduces drag significantly.

Novice coxswains often have difficulty with bowloaders, however, since the rowers and their oars cannot easily be seen. Experienced coxswains learn how to feel the movements of the rowers in the boat as well as gain a sense of the shell itself to safely and effectively manoevre it.