Start up maintenance

During the first weeks of use the wood in your WaterRower will adjust to the temperature and humidity of the environment. During this period it is strongly advised that you gently tighten all the connecting bolts with the Allen key stored under the rear spacer. Please be careful not to over tighten any of these bolts.

Additionally, as the drive and recoil belts tighten up with use, it may be necessary to tighten the bungee cord. To do this, leave the handle in the full forward position and adjust the bungee/recoil belt buckle to provide a little more tension. It will only be necessary to perform these two simple start up procedures once or twice over the first month of use.

Preventive maintenance

Periodic maintenance is required to maintain the condition of the water in the tank. We strongly advise using municipal tap water which contains chlorine and other chemicals to keep it free from bacteria and algae, etc. The chlorine must be refreshed periodically by adding a water purification tablet provided in the back of the owner’s manual. Chlorine degrades by exposure to light: this may vary from 6 months in direct sunlight to 2 years in an artificially lit environment.

If water discoloration occurs add a purification tablet immediately. If the water does not clear, we recommend emptying the tank, flushing it out with clean water, refilling, and adding a purification tablet. Never use chlorine bleach in the tank as this will irreparably damage the polycarbonate tank. On average add one purification tablet every 6 months.

Cleaning

To maintain the appearance and integrity of your WaterRower it is necessary to keep the machine clean. It is particularly important to ensure that there is no dust build up in the clutch and belt mechanism between the top and bottom decks. Dust can be removed by using a vacuum cleaner.

The surface of the rails must be kept clean to prevent dust fouling the seat wheels, and can be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth.

The surface of the tank can be cleaned, however, please ensure you read the instructions for any cleaning fluids prior to use: do not use mentholated chlorates or ammonia based fluids.

Maintaining the wood

The natural wood WaterRowers are finished with Danish Oil which gives a deep penetrating finish to the hardwood frame. Other than occasional dusting or polishing, the wood requires no maintenance. If you are the owner of an Oxbridge WaterRower , you will notice that the wood develops a wonderful dark patina colour over time.

Storage of your WaterRower

Your WaterRower can be stored upright as shown in Step Eight of the Assembly manual. Left the Rear Spacer end, pull the WaterRower towards you and use the momentum to stand it in an upright position. When storing the WaterRower, please ensure the seat is in the forward position (close to the footboard). When stored upright the WaterRower is stable and is only takes the space of a chair.