In the interim, Steve has been in touch with Rossiter Yachts www.rossiteryachts.co.uk and I try to find out about the propulsion system on the boat and I chase up Justin Coleman to see if ‘Atlantic Song’ is still for sale. Justin gets back to me to say that the boat sold about 2 months ago and he’s not sure why it’s still on the web, but we’re grateful it is.
Justin attempted to row the Atlantic back in 2004 with Henry Dale and abandoned his attempt after about 1000 miles. His partner went on to finish it alone. I e-mail him back, dying to ask what happened, but instead ask if he would be willing to meet us so that we can glean as much experience from him as possible.
It’s amazing what you find when you start to look at other pedal attempts at the Atlantic. There aren‘t many. I mean, hardly any that have succeeded. Check out this from 2007. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-486190/Man-returns-round-world-pedal-boat-trip-13-years.html As far as I can find this is the only completed crossing of the E-W route. Completed by Jason Lewis as part of his round the world odessey that took 13 years. When he set out The Dome wasn’t even built!
Interesting to see that he travelled in an enclosed cockpit akin to the idea taken considerably further by Torpedalo, but I can’t find what happened to that one. http://www.torpedalo.com/
There are glossy web entries and some great pictures of the boat. Lots of talk of nakedness, that is old hat these days, isn’t it in the ocean rowing world? But the story dies a death somewhere in 2011/12 and I can’t find out what happened to it. According to Justin, one of the team left Bentley and the sponsors drifted away, but I’ve no proof. I wonder where the boat is now?
This craft, one of a number designed and built by Greg Kolodziejzyk did sea trials the outcome of which he discusses here, http://adventuresofgreg.com/blog/2010/09/22/pedal-the-ocean-expedition-canceled/ and there are more.
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