This is the boat we will call home whilst on the Indian Ocean. Full of character, and proven strength it has already made one successful Atlantic crossing in 2006 and is widely recognized as one of the most durable of its class – but then you would expect nothing less from the British Army (its former owners)!
Between now and April the boat will undergo a complete service and facelift and will be upgraded with all the necessary equipment to ensure it meets the strict racing standards. Once sponsors and partners have been finalised it will be given a complete paint job and logos, photos, messages will adorn the interior and exterior of what we shall then call home for quite some time.
Boat design:
Length: 8.8 metres (29ft)
Beam: 1.9 metres (6.3ft)
The Indian Ocean Rowing Race will be a one-design event. Boats in each of the three categories (singles, doubles and fours) are built to exact specifications set by the race organisers, Woodvale Events Ltd, and the three designs are largely driven by the size of the crew. Our four-man boat will be using set out as follows:
Stern Cabin:
This is where most of the ‘living’ will be done. All of the navigational and communications equipment is sited here, together with most of the boys’ personal equipment. As with the rest of the boat, hatches in the deck provide access to vital storage space in the hull of the boat. There is (just) enough room to sleep three people, although even with two in the cabin, personal space will be at a premium. The top of the stern cabin houses three solar panels and two communications aerials.
Rowing Area:
The boat is set up to accommodate two rowers and only in extreme circumstances (usually weather-related) will there be fewer than two on the oars at any one time.
The crew will be taking additional oars as spares, in the event of breakages. Some crews opt to use carbon fibre oars which are light, but have a tendency to break more easily than the ash oars which are being taken aboard Pura Vida.
Storage areas are positioned under the deck, beneath the rowing positions. Perhaps the most vital piece of equipment on the whole boat (other than ipods) is the water-maker, which is positioned in the aft-most storage locker. The race rules also stipulate that each boat must carry 150 litres of bottled drinking water and this is located in front of the water-maker, in one of the central storage areas. The bottled water is for emergency use only, but also serves the dual purpose of providing ballast for the vessel. Not only will this ensure increased stability in open water, but in the event of a capsize, it should help facilitate the self-righting design of the boat. Further storage areas are sited forward and to the sides of the rowing positions.
Forward Cabin:
This area will provide shelter for just one of the team and also contains additional storage space, reached via deck hatches.
