They are 597 to 622 mm wide, and from 8.2 metres to 19.9 metres long. A small fin is fitted at the bottom for stability. A washboard prevents waves from splashing water aboard. Seats are fitted with wheels which roll on tracks called slides. There are nine classes of boat, of which five are for sweep-oared rowing in which the rower uses one oar with both hands, and three are for sculling in which two sculls are used, one in each hand.
Some classes carry a coxswain who either sits in the stern or lies in the bow to steer the boat.
The maximum length of a section of an Eight is 11.9 metres. The Oars Top of Page Oars are hollow to reduce weight, attached to the boat by adjustable outriggers. Oars are rotated onto the feather parallel to the water surface at the finish to minimise air resistance and to the vertical at the catch to maximise water resistance. A false start is indicated by the Umpire waving a red flag and the crews are then recalled to the start. All directives of the Umpire must be obeyed and failure to do so can lead to disqualification and other disciplinary sanctions being imposed.