35 days

0 hours, 33 minutes

New World Record

On March 13th, 2013, Charlie beat the previous Atlantic record of 40 days, 9 hours and 44 minutes to become the world’s fastest ocean rower.

The Boat

Charlie used the world’s most advanced ocean-rower, custom built by Rannoch. Named “Soma”, she is constructed with carbon fibre and Nomex and utilises 100% green energy.

Take a tour
  • 460kg overall weight
  • Holds three pairs of Rannoch Ocean oars
  • Can convert saltwater to freshwater at 25 litres per hour
  • 6.5 metres long and 1.5 metres wide
  • Designed by world renowned naval architect Phil Morrison
  • Built by Demon Yachts in Ipswich
  • Carbon/Nomex structure (used in Formula 1 and aerospace engineering)
  • The hull is just 10mm thick and light enough to be lifted by one man
  • MKII of Charlie’s previous boat
  • Self-righting during capsize

The Route

Charlie rowed 2900 miles from La Gomera, off the northwest coast of Africa to Barbados, where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean

Atlantic Ocean
Barbados
La Gomera
Caribbean Sea

Facts & figures

The previous record was held by Andrew Brown in Charlie’s old boat, JJ.

Charlie smashed this record by a whopping 5 days 9 hours and 11 minutes.

During the challenge the boat rolled (turned turtle) twice, suffered four knockdowns (or broaches) and one cabin slap (where wave enters cabin because Charlie forgot to shut the hatch!)

Body breakdown at Day 18 after pushing himself way too hard in the first half of the challenge

Charlie occasionally averaged upwards of 90 miles a day – unheard of for a solo rower.

An outstanding achievement for the 50 year old, father of four!