The Boat
Following several exiting months in the belief that the TransAtlantic crossing would actually take place the boat we had chosen was purchased by someone else from the UK and it was at that point we feared that the project would be cancelled but by a stroke of luck we ran into Netherlands most famous rowing boat in Rotterdam. The crossing was back on!
The team quickly visited the boat in question, it was huge, the boat was the 'Ocean-Fours' belonging to the team who had successfully rowed from New York to Rotterdam in 2005. The boat was checked by Frank den Hartich and after several phone calls, various emails amid ongoing negotiations with the owners and our main Sponsor a deal was struck with the boat falling into budget, the boat was ours.
The boat has been modified by adding the bike mechanism as opposed to rowing complete with a hook transmission driven rear paddle wheel. In addition to the bike elements three aluminum rods have been added over midships so that a roof can be pulled over the crew during bad weather thus both protecting the crew and making it possible to continue cycling.
In addition to the above the boat enjoys all the mod cons associated with such an arduous crossing often duplicated for safety such as GPS, MariPhone, Radio's & SatPhone, all protected against the elements alongside the sprocket gear. The aluminum rods also offer hand grip/rails that can enable safe movement around the boat. Taking the aforementioned into account we continue to maintain the KISS method as much as we can, namely 'Keep it Simple Stupid!'