Ocean Rowing versus the PicoMicroYacht

I have sometimes wondered why the ocean rowing boats are not seen cruising around the coast, enjoying inshore waters. Occassionally PicoMicroYacht has been out there when they are training, but mainly in a harbour or estuary.

Instead of battling it out in the mid-Atlantic, a pleasant cruise would be to coastal hop, using the boat’s cabin for a comfortable night’s sleep in a safe harbour, ready for the next day’s row.

The windage of an ocean rowing boat (James Adair and Ben Stenning's Indian Ocean voyaging boat)

I have come to the conclusion why ocean rowing boats are  not used for coastal hopping is that they  have too much windage relative to the power generated by rowing. The hull and the cabin act as a sail and an ocean rowing boat can be quickly blown downwind.

To counteract this, rowers either make supreme efforts to row against wind or in strong winds deploy a parachute anchor, using the water to halt movement whilst resting until the wind is more favourable.

Jamie Fitzgerald’s philosophy is to keep rowing even if your GPS is saying you are going nowhere

But these are less feasible options for inshore waters, where a boat might be blown onto a lee shore and the safety distances are much less. Also manoeuvrability is compromised without having substantial forward power.

In reality, ocean rowing boats tend to choose routes in which the prevailing winds and currents push them forwards. If not, the rowers experience trials and tribulations battling against the wind.

For example, the British pair James Adair and Ben Stenning set off from Western Australia to row to Mauritius, crossing the Indian Ocean.  They had huge difficulty getting away from Australia because of the prevailing head winds and only succeeded by very determined effort.

When they arrived at Mauritius, despite best effort, the wind blew them away from their port and they ended up being shipwrecked on a coral reef, nearly losing their lives.

James and Ben had swim for their lives when they hit the coral reef and their boat was being smashed up. Extraordinarily, they swam through a gap in the reef and were rescued sitting on the coral.

One advantage of the PicoMicroYacht is that it has very low topsides, such that the windage is at a minimum.

PicoMicroYacht crossing the English Channel - rowing against 10 to 20 mile an hour winds - additionally, small sails help provide lift and counteracted the wind effect

In fact, this made is possible for a middle-aged, not terrible fit, rower to cross the English Channel, rowing for seven hours against the wind.

PicoMicroYacht can dodge the rocks without too much danger - in lighter winds.

Of course, there is no comfortable cabin to sleep in at the end of the day and all the ‘dry’ equipment has to be kept in dry bags.

PicoMicroYacht will not be crossing Oceans but will continue to enjoy the beautiful waters around the Islands off Western Europe.