Thank you for making this video - it really demonstrated where the costs go for getting to the start line. As someone that is (mentally at least) planning to do something like the Talisker Atlantic Challenge in 5 years time, it has really helped me in understanding the cost vs benefit of second hand vs new. I have definitely been guilty of looking at £25k - £30k second hand boats and thinking that a check over is all that would be required rather than the £10k ish you mentioned of taking a used boat and getting it up to a standard that would be suitable for crossing - afterall, it's my life that would be at stake if I were to cut corners. I love the material your Socks II boat is made from - knowing that you're sat in something so bouyant and should the worst happen you are more likely to be in better shape than an entirely wooden craft seems to make allot of sense to me. Finally.... £1k on chocolate and jelly beans etc...... :-) Just subbed to your Channel, I hope you keep up with the content throughout 2022 despite your change in plans. All the best Seb
Glad the information helped, I should have a few more video's over the coming weeks outlining some other important things to consider. It's not an in expensive undertaking but I don't regret spending a single penny.
An interesting watch, thank you. I have only just come across this channel so please ignore my questions if they have been answered in previous videos. A few questions: have you, or will you, be raising sponsorship and if so, where does one begin with all of that (this is my biggest challenge)? When is the Indian crossing and how can we track your progress? How important and how big is your on land support team? I should have been at the start line of TWAC 2022 but circumstances dictated otherwise. I am now looking at solo options and other races/challenges that are less expensive. Will now check out some of your other videos 👍🏼
Hi Darren, I've never had sponsorship, always managed to scrape the money together myself. I have a shore crew of two, my wife and a friend who is my weather forecaster, router, tech support and emergency coordinator. Indian is planned for next spring assuming shipping is more predictable / affordable and a few other things fall into place.
@@soloatlanticrower thank you for this reply, it's encouraging to hear that these things can be achieved with a minimal setup. I'm just getting started on my own project. Good luck with the Indian adventure 👍🏼
Hi Darren, while I only have a small team, Tony my friend has a vast knowledge of ocean experience and I spent 4 years researching and planning before my first crossing, that experience combined with a failed attempt to get to Hawaii enabled me to attempt the Pacific. It is all about being well prepared and acquiring as much knowledge pre crossing as possible.
Hi nice video. But i have some questions about the legality, how to legally navigate? Is this a clearance system at departure? And what about the encounters with ships at sea, do they worry for you sometimes? How do you prevent risks for them to call emergency services for you?
@@grammar_shark depends where you leave from, has too be an official port of departure and you need to follow local guidance. As for avoiding other shipping you use an AIS system that all commercial shipping has too have and most private vessels have. The system alerts you when they are within a certain distance from your location and vice versa.
Funny sheep incident - and cool you've kept it! Crossing an ocean is obviously not for everyone; doing the maths, it turns out this is a pastime for the rich. The rich, though, are not necessarily able to row/row solo/row solo for that long. So, it's for people who can one way or another find such an amount of money and are determined to spend it on a boat and a few months of physical and, possibly, mental pain. Costs have exploded. They're definitely not justified, but every manufacturer seemingly wants to get rich - overnight, if possible, too. Can you not cut some of those costs by not shipping your boat but, instead, crossing the ocean from Canada and then rowing back home?
The bulk of the cost is obviously the boat, materials aside it was 7 months full time work for a skilled boat builder to construct. taking that into account it was fair value. I like your thinking on rowing to Canada and back, that would be a long trip, you can’t row against the current so would have to head south via the Canaries, Caribbean, up the coast of the Us on the gulf stream then when far enough north head for home. Some trip.
@@soloatlanticrower, it also depends on one's income, I guess. I live in a poorer European country; on top of that, I might also have an issue because of my country's past. That kind of trip would be quite something, indeed, especially since it might have never been done by anyone, ever, before. I would find such a challenge tempting. :) I said from, not to, Canada because I had read somewhere that you lived in Burlington, Ontario. Having another look at the map, I am wondering: would it be possible to start from Burlington, row the Lake Ontario, the St Lawrence River and into the North Atlantic Ocean, then the Caribbean Sea, and, through the Panama Canal, into the Pacific, cross that, then, one way or another, get back home to Burlington? If so, what would it take?
You're nothing if not creative. I've actually moved back to the UK since I did the row (for family reasons). It definately isn't an inexpensive thiing to do, there are lot's of cchallenges thouugh, maybe start local, I know cycling the border ofo countriies has been done a few times, also running the same. Lot's of idea's juust starting from home.
Not a millionaire but like a lot of things it's not a cheap endeavor and if you want to stay safe you have to have good quality kit. Think of the cost of a new car and may families have 2 or 3 cars it's really not that much different, just where you choose to spend the money.
Hi, it's not a wooden boat, it's mainly composite, closed cell foam and kevlar / fiberglass. Not sure what you're asking re what to care more about, in general the little things are as important as the big. I make long check lists and go through them over and over again.
Would it be too late for somebody who is 56 to think about training for this, with a view to do completing in four years? When are you too old to do this?
I would say no, after all I'm still planning to row the Indian and I'm 60, I have more reservations as each missed opportunity passes but that's been out of my control. I guess it depends on our athletic background, only you know your strengths and weaknesses. Also a big difference between solo and crew crossing. However in my mind the true test of resilience is solo which is harder both mentally and physically. Good luck Roger.
I do coastal rowing in Ireland I row with two men in their 50s we have won our mixed category for years lost our first race recently I had covid wasn't aware 😅 I can only dream to do something like this in my life I'm 34 now so for me it's something I think with age I'd appreciate alot more Older I am the more I appreciate my time in a boat in the sea
My boat is an Adkin designed Ocean Rowing boat, there are other designs, most notably a class called blowing boats that reduce the amount of rowing required.
I am from India and want to do this but here in this country it is called madness, although I do not pay attention to them, I have to do this in any case, it needs a lot of money to do this, so I am now arranging money
Hmm 100k pounds to punish yourself with 24 X7 rowing for 40 days.. Someone will need to pay me that just to think about it. Salute to these rowers who do it for the pure challenge
I appreciate this video. I'm currently building a boat to row the Great Lakes solo. 1,500 miles on freshwater.
Thank you for making this video - it really demonstrated where the costs go for getting to the start line. As someone that is (mentally at least) planning to do something like the Talisker Atlantic Challenge in 5 years time, it has really helped me in understanding the cost vs benefit of second hand vs new. I have definitely been guilty of looking at £25k - £30k second hand boats and thinking that a check over is all that would be required rather than the £10k ish you mentioned of taking a used boat and getting it up to a standard that would be suitable for crossing - afterall, it's my life that would be at stake if I were to cut corners.
I love the material your Socks II boat is made from - knowing that you're sat in something so bouyant and should the worst happen you are more likely to be in better shape than an entirely wooden craft seems to make allot of sense to me.
Finally.... £1k on chocolate and jelly beans etc...... :-)
Just subbed to your Channel, I hope you keep up with the content throughout 2022 despite your change in plans.
All the best
Seb
Glad the information helped, I should have a few more video's over the coming weeks outlining some other important things to consider. It's not an in expensive undertaking but I don't regret spending a single penny.
@@soloatlanticrower Thanks again, look forward to upcoming videos 🙏🏻
Wow, nothing is cheap anymore!
An interesting watch, thank you. I have only just come across this channel so please ignore my questions if they have been answered in previous videos. A few questions: have you, or will you, be raising sponsorship and if so, where does one begin with all of that (this is my biggest challenge)? When is the Indian crossing and how can we track your progress? How important and how big is your on land support team? I should have been at the start line of TWAC 2022 but circumstances dictated otherwise. I am now looking at solo options and other races/challenges that are less expensive. Will now check out some of your other videos 👍🏼
Hi Darren, I've never had sponsorship, always managed to scrape the money together myself. I have a shore crew of two, my wife and a friend who is my weather forecaster, router, tech support and emergency coordinator. Indian is planned for next spring assuming shipping is more predictable / affordable and a few other things fall into place.
@@soloatlanticrower thank you for this reply, it's encouraging to hear that these things can be achieved with a minimal setup. I'm just getting started on my own project. Good luck with the Indian adventure 👍🏼
Hi Darren, while I only have a small team, Tony my friend has a vast knowledge of ocean experience and I spent 4 years researching and planning before my first crossing, that experience combined with a failed attempt to get to Hawaii enabled me to attempt the Pacific. It is all about being well prepared and acquiring as much knowledge pre crossing as possible.
Wow! Very interesting but I think I will drive everywhere!!! 😁
I don't blame you!
Hi nice video. But i have some questions about the legality, how to legally navigate? Is this a clearance system at departure? And what about the encounters with ships at sea, do they worry for you sometimes? How do you prevent risks for them to call emergency services for you?
Hi Opti, I'll answer your questions in my next video, should be about a week away.
@@soloatlanticrower Still waiting.
@@grammar_shark depends where you leave from, has too be an official port of departure and you need to follow local guidance. As for avoiding other shipping you use an AIS system that all commercial shipping has too have and most private vessels have. The system alerts you when they are within a certain distance from your location and vice versa.
Funny sheep incident - and cool you've kept it!
Crossing an ocean is obviously not for everyone; doing the maths, it turns out this is a pastime for the rich. The rich, though, are not necessarily able to row/row solo/row solo for that long. So, it's for people who can one way or another find such an amount of money and are determined to spend it on a boat and a few months of physical and, possibly, mental pain.
Costs have exploded. They're definitely not justified, but every manufacturer seemingly wants to get rich - overnight, if possible, too.
Can you not cut some of those costs by not shipping your boat but, instead, crossing the ocean from Canada and then rowing back home?
The bulk of the cost is obviously the boat, materials aside it was 7 months full time work for a skilled boat builder to construct. taking that into account it was fair value. I like your thinking on rowing to Canada and back, that would be a long trip, you can’t row against the current so would have to head south via the Canaries, Caribbean, up the coast of the Us on the gulf stream then when far enough north head for home. Some trip.
@@soloatlanticrower, it also depends on one's income, I guess. I live in a poorer European country; on top of that, I might also have an issue because of my country's past.
That kind of trip would be quite something, indeed, especially since it might have never been done by anyone, ever, before. I would find such a challenge tempting. :)
I said from, not to, Canada because I had read somewhere that you lived in Burlington, Ontario. Having another look at the map, I am wondering: would it be possible to start from Burlington, row the Lake Ontario, the St Lawrence River and into the North Atlantic Ocean, then the Caribbean Sea, and, through the Panama Canal, into the Pacific, cross that, then, one way or another, get back home to Burlington? If so, what would it take?
You're nothing if not creative. I've actually moved back to the UK since I did the row (for family reasons). It definately isn't an inexpensive thiing to do, there are lot's of cchallenges thouugh, maybe start local, I know cycling the border ofo countriies has been done a few times, also running the same. Lot's of idea's juust starting from home.
If listening any longer, one must be a millionaire to be able to cross the ocean by rowing 😭😭😭
Not a millionaire but like a lot of things it's not a cheap endeavor and if you want to stay safe you have to have good quality kit. Think of the cost of a new car and may families have 2 or 3 cars it's really not that much different, just where you choose to spend the money.
Which wood is used to make the boat? And what do you have to care more about?
Hi, it's not a wooden boat, it's mainly composite, closed cell foam and kevlar / fiberglass. Not sure what you're asking re what to care more about, in general the little things are as important as the big. I make long check lists and go through them over and over again.
Would it be too late for somebody who is 56 to think about training for this, with a view to do completing in four years? When are you too old to do this?
I would say no, after all I'm still planning to row the Indian and I'm 60, I have more reservations as each missed opportunity passes but that's been out of my control. I guess it depends on our athletic background, only you know your strengths and weaknesses. Also a big difference between solo and crew crossing. However in my mind the true test of resilience is solo which is harder both mentally and physically. Good luck Roger.
@@soloatlanticrower so it’s not too late? Great.
I do coastal rowing in Ireland I row with two men in their 50s we have won our mixed category for years lost our first race recently I had covid wasn't aware 😅
I can only dream to do something like this in my life
I'm 34 now so for me it's something I think with age I'd appreciate alot more
Older I am the more I appreciate my time in a boat in the sea
what are the boats called
My boat is an Adkin designed Ocean Rowing boat, there are other designs, most notably a class called blowing boats that reduce the amount of rowing required.
i just thought why has no one made a video of these as boat camping@@soloatlanticrower
Who is Cheryl? Did you steal her boat
She is my wife and I didn't steel the boat, just raided her (our) bank account.
I am from India and want to do this but here in this country it is called madness, although I do not pay attention to them, I have to do this in any case, it needs a lot of money to do this, so I am now arranging money
Good Luck.
Hmm
100k pounds to punish yourself with 24 X7 rowing for 40 days..
Someone will need to pay me that just to think about it.
Salute to these rowers who do it for the pure challenge
53 days on the Atlantic, 208 on the Pacific, glutton for punishment.
Literally I can’t think of anything worse and I row
(⊙o⊙)哇自制一条船太棒了
Thanks