Preparing for a solo rowing trip across the Atlantic (image credit: Cleveland.com)
Would you take a rowboat across the Atlantic Ocean? Can you imagine rowing 2,500 miles from the west coast of Africa to French Guiana?
The youngest person ever to make such a trip is about to depart on the challenging journey. A 22-year old female, Katie Spotz, will embark on the three month trip, with nothing but solar panels to provide electrical power for a few gadgets. There will not be a sail, or a motor. Just pure guts and determination (and hopefully some sunny days).
Solar panels will provide the sole source of power for on-board electronics, including a water desalination machine, GPS system, radios, satellite phone and laptop from which Spotz will blog about her experiences.
Lest that sounds luxurious, remember that we’re just talking about a row boat here.
Spotz's Row Boat for her Solo Rowing Trip Across the Atlantic (image credit: Cleveland.com)
Designed by accomplished rower and renowned ocean row boat designer, Phil Morrison, the vessel includes features that allow it to be self-righting and generally weather 3o-foot waves and hurricanes (can you even imagine?) Two air-tight containers at opposite ends of the boat will be filled with supplies, gear and food.
The photo to the right shows the specially-designed row boat.
A solo boat trip across the Atlantic would be challenging no matter the vessel. Going on a solar powered boat trip – in a row boat, no less – ups the ante. Then, when you factor in the fact that a young woman only 22-years of age is taking on the challenge, you cannot help but root (and pray) for her!
We’ll be looking forward to Katie Spotz’s blog posts along the way … courtesy of power from the boat’s solar panels.
Let’s watch history in the making together!
Tags: boat solar panels, boat trip across atlantic, katie spotz, ocean row boats, solar panel boat, solar powered boat trip, solo boat trip
