I think you have a good idea, Will. You can pack a small electric, but most of the time, in sheltered water, oar power of some kind would be pleasant to use (for some of us) and saves your power.
Plus the Yuloh is easy to store on a 19' boat.
The oar on Venetian gondolas performs more as a sculling oar in close quarters. It's amazingly efficient propulsion for these heavily loaded boats in very tight quarters. The Gondolas haul tourists through very narrow channels, all over the city. Turning, docking, accelerating, even reversing. Outside of a jet drive, I don't think any conventional power would work as well.
The main difference from a Yuloh (I suppose) is the addition of the Focola, the twisted stout wood riser that the gondolier braces his oar against for these various maneuvers.
Then there is the 'flat out' position of the oar, perpendicular to the hull, where the gondolier can use his whole body for propulsion. I didn't see any flabby gondoliers.
Plus the Yuloh is easy to store on a 19' boat.
The oar on Venetian gondolas performs more as a sculling oar in close quarters. It's amazingly efficient propulsion for these heavily loaded boats in very tight quarters. The Gondolas haul tourists through very narrow channels, all over the city. Turning, docking, accelerating, even reversing. Outside of a jet drive, I don't think any conventional power would work as well.
The main difference from a Yuloh (I suppose) is the addition of the Focola, the twisted stout wood riser that the gondolier braces his oar against for these various maneuvers.
Then there is the 'flat out' position of the oar, perpendicular to the hull, where the gondolier can use his whole body for propulsion. I didn't see any flabby gondoliers.