The Boat - Charmed Life
The boat Pete will use for the race is called Charmed Life. It is a one-design Rowsell and Morrison boat, designed specifically for rowing oceans. It was built in 2003 and at the time was the most expensive two man ocean rowing boat ever built! Launched by David Beckham and following 2 successful Atlantic crossings in 2003 and 2005 (60 and 61 days), Pete is now setting her up for his own trip.
This boat will be Pete's home for up to 100 days and has been designed specifically for ocean rowing. She is made of 6mm thick marine plywood with a coat of epoxy resin for strength and resilience to water. The boat provides shelter in the rear cabin, which also houses all on-board electrics (solar powered). All food supplies will be stored in sealed bags underneath the rowing deck near the solar powered water maker.
In the likely event of a capsize the boat is designed to right herself due to several design factors the watertight cabins fore and aft are an egg shape which is extremely unstable when upside down, moreover the air trapped in the cabin keeps the hull buoyant and combined with the heavy stores in the keel creating a high center of gravity will cause the boat to right herself.
