Doug, the paddle in a coracle is used over the bow in order to pull the boat forward. As you say, paddle on opposite sides when you are working a net between you is customary. Yes, the picture of a coracle is similar to mine.

Nerys

"They were trying to produce a modern version of a yuloh."
Still seems to be quite popular in Asia Nerys. Sampan style.
"Chinese sampan propelled by yáolǔ (雅洛) via single-oar sculling."
Remember seeing it in China and Korea.
At least by those who couldn't afford a 'newfangled' over the stern electric outboard.

Happy sculling folks, Cheers , Doug 😎

"Somehow we need to get the motion at the end of this video."
I hope we can do better than those novices Martin 😉
Odd, research I've done so far seems to indicate that the 'oar' was used over the stern.
Whichever that was on a circular coracle!?🤔(scratches head in puzzlement!)

Or, often they fished in pairs with a net strung between them. See pic.

"The River Teifi, West Wales The two men are John Davies (forefront) and Will Davies of Cenarth; the last two legitimate coracle fishermen in Cenarth. They are both using the single-arm method of propulsion; a means of gliding downstream in a controlled way. They carry their coracles and their fish home on their backs. (1972)"

One arm would scull over the side while the other held the net.
S'pose you'd need one right handed and one left handed 'sculler' for that!

I guess Nerys' coracle is like the other pic.
Cheers, All, Doug 😎
❄️ BEAT THE BUG👍
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculling#Modern_single-oar_sculling

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coracle

I first saw that, or a version thereof, some years ago. They were trying to produce a modern version of a yuloh. I thought it was a sort of sophisticated type of rudder that pushed the boat along in a calm as I do not doubt, all dinghy sailors have resorted to at one time or another. Works very well.

Cheers, Nerys

have a look at this ⚡⚡⚡

Found some coracle photos. First four show my son, Eryl, paddling my Teifi coracle at Hollowshore, Faversham Creek about forty years ago. I still have it. Next, Father Christmas in a Scottish, River Spey coracle doing his rounds in Faversham Creek. Last one, two coracles at Cenarth on the River Teifi

Nerys

Despite most people thinking that a coracle will only go round in circles, I can assure anyone that this is far from the case. If you just paddle in one place all the time, then yes, round you go, but the correct method is the reverse stroke to sculling with one oar over the stern of a boat. Any competent barge mate will know the stroke. It's best described as a figure of eight stroke that pulls you forward. Not being an expert on servos, electronics and similar black arts, I'm a simple sailor girl, I don't know if it would be possible to simulate this motion electronically and throw the idea to the experts --- You!

Cheers Nerys

Somehow we need to get the motion at the end of this video.


Martin555.

I can see the 'thinks balloons' rising already Martin 👍
😎

This will take some thinking about, as you say we don't want it spinning like a washing machine LOL!

Martin555.