We Need Your HELP! Sailors Turned Rowers 

Love this! Yes!

Yes definitely going to put all our gear and water up at the bow. Sylvia is a lot lighter than my dad too, so that will help when she’s in the cockpit. It’s Definitely not ideal, but hopefully we can fix it a bit more!

@@AllAboutSpray Great, thanks for responding! Setting up tiller lines to the foredeck is easy: two small turning blocks and some line will allow steering from the foredeck. The rower should be able to see how deep the stern is digging ( or preferably, not)? Clinometers are cheap. Get two with a fine and coarse scale and set one on the cabin bulkhead for heel and one on the cockpit side for fore/ aft trim? Getting this right could make the difference between getting to K and dropping out due to heartbreaking slow progress. I'd like you to achieve the former! Remember the boat was designed to trim right with the crew in the cockpit, from tiller end forwards. By putting the rowing rig on the transom you've already messed with that. (Yes, balance with water and sails). Then fold it out and add a body weight; not good! Good thing is that rowing is normally coz' of no wind=calm sea. "Sail when you can, row when you must". Your backup of sailing from the cockpit seems a good safety measure. If you had 4 oars, could you both row, one from the foredeck, one from the rig? It's going to be a great experience!

@tomedom5017 raises some good points! And I think that could make a huge difference! You’re both going to be absolutely exhausted rowing, and any better boat speed you can get will make a difference! Run those lines and turning blocks!! It’s not expensive, and you guys seem like you’re of similar weight, so one on the bow and one on the stern should make the boat as level as possible in calm water.

Yah buddy! Wish I was racing against you!

Thank you!

We didn’t build it, we bought it from a team that used it and put it to the test in a previous year of the R2ak. Thanks for cheering us on, we are definitely going to need it!!

Oh wow thank you so much for the offer. I would have taken you up on this, but we actually bought one a few months ago for this. I hope you get to do your Mississippi trip:)

Hmm yes I agree after reviewing footage too. Thanks for the feedback. We’ve just took out a spacer for the oars, which would put the seat higher. I’m really keen to test that out next.

THANK you! Just sent you an email:)

Ah thanks for believing in us John! I think you’re right, endurance will definitely be key!

Yes great idea! We had an offer from someone in Victoria, we may do that at the end of may once I’m back from work!

Ah I think we will be over stimulated between navigating currents, rowing and trying to eat we will stay busy! We are hoping for under 2 weeks! Thanks for watching!

Absolutely, it will be a great back up option. But in calm conditions this is much more ergonomic and efficient and will keep the cockpit free. I’m not exactly sure on the weight but it’s about 50lbs? We will see how our test across the strait goes next month though and will keep this in mind!

We were wondering if we are bending our wrists too much when we are full contracted? I can see how it would wear after hours like that

Haha yes true. Weight loss plan? But in serious, yes, will only be able to wear it if it’s in cool enough conditions