Later, Jon served in Vietnam (probably USMC like Larry Wilcox). Traffic Officer Jon Baker. After joining the CHP, as any aspiring motor officer before being assigned to a motor squad, Jon was assigned to a patrol car. In 1975, he met Frank Poncherello and convinced him to become a CHP officer.
You can but don't expect a ton of power, you might get 100W. You would have to connect the pivot points to some kind of ratcheting device and turn a flywheel. Since you are only rowing forward a small portion of the time you will need a flywheel.
Rowing on a rowing machine is actually a leg-driven sport, so the correct form is to use your legs first, then follow with your back and finally your arms with each stroke.