Tholebased

Tholebased is an adjective used to describe propulsion systems and vessel design that rely primarily on thole pins, the fixed pegs that receive oars in thole arrangements. The term derives from thole, and it is most commonly found in niche maritime history, reconstruction communities, and discussions of traditional rowing craft. A tholebased configuration denotes boats whose oars are braced in fixed tholes rather than in pivoting rowlocks or gunwale-mounted oarlocks.

In practice, a tholebased arrangement features oars seated into vertical holes or slots in gunwales or thole blocks. Rowers brace the oars against the fixed points and generate propulsion through body movement and stroke rhythm. This contrasts with later oarlock systems that allow greater reach and mechanical leverage. Thole-based rigs often require careful alignment and coordinated crew effort, since the oar handling depends on fixed geometry and direct contact with the tholes.

Historical context for tholepins appears across various traditional and early modern rowing craft, where simplicity and authenticity were valued. In museum reconstructions and historical sailing demonstrations, tholebased setups are preserved or replicated to reflect how crews operated before widespread use of pivoting oarlocks. They are also encountered in some model-building and educational contexts where the goal is to accurately depict ancient or pre-industrial propulsion methods.

See also: oar, thole pin, oarlock, rowlock, maritime archaeology.