Here is some information about the boat we are rowing written by Leven on behalf of his company Ocean Row Events.
The new boat’s design is a quantum leap forward in ocean rowing.
Making a boat light and placing a decent crew on board no longer cuts the mustard. Almost without exception all of the open class boats out there just no are simply not designed. They still have roughly the same ‘footprints’ and general layout as they did 20 years ago – they are lighter and have all the latest kit but those in the motor industry know there is only so much mileage in putting fancy new gear in old designs.
Most ocean rowing companies do not spend money on design and research like we do which is why we have the track record we do. We have always been innovative and got the very best out of our budgets and when we race we are the team everyone has quietly got their eye on.
In short the boat is a Carbon/Kevlar monohull capable of accommodating 8 people, 4 rowing, 4 resting. She is 44ft long and has a beam of 2m. She is lightweight but we have concentrated on keeping her well engineered. Her design remit is to be able to cruise at 5 knots. The current Atlantic speed record is averaging around 3.5 knots. We have radically changed the hull shaped from the standard ocean rowing boat, reducing massive amounts of drag and increasing surfing ability. We have also improved the nimbleness (turning moment) of the boat by 30% making our rudder and steering system much faster and smoother to react – this means longer faster surfing and the ability to cope with bigger seas better.
Our people have separate bunks, rather than the flat bed you get on board most rowing boats so that they can make the most of what little rest they get. Keeping them fresher and stronger for longer.
The boat is fully self righting, and is much more aggressively self righting than the current designs of rowing boat. The boat has a series of pumps and valves that allow any one or all of the 8 ballast tanks to be flooded helping with trim and weight and the pumps can also deal with massive water ingression anywhere else in the vessel. Making her by far the most safe boat out there.
The boat will be named after our main supporter. The boat plans and boat build visits will be made available to those wishing to support the project on the understanding that what you see is kept absolutely confidential. There is nothing like her and we wish to keep it that way for as long as possible!
Everything about this new boat has been thought through using a wealth of experience and learning from the shortcomings of other boats we have rowed in all sorts of conditions. This will be the very first true next generation ocean rowing boat and she will achieve some amazing feats.