Exiting new adventure class

1st prize professional category

 

Rowing/sailing/camping/sport boat

The Feeling

When I think of this exiting new type of boat;
"I see myself and girlfriend, in the early morning, waking up in a secluded bay where we tied our boat to the shore. During the night the wind has died down completely. We look over the mirror-lake, after yesterdays exiting sailing it looks like we will row the canal to the next lake and civilization. We have been together in the wilderness for two weeks and our supplies are low, apart from the occasional hikers we have seen no-one.
Our journey started with a long sail over open waters, the beaufort 5 stern quartering winds required skill and gave exhilarating speed. The boat was responsive to the rudder and even though the waves were higher than expected we did not take on water. It was our first trip with our latest boat ......"





The Design Competition

The rowing and sailing club "De Maas" of Rotterdam celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2001.
"De Maas" is one of the largest rowing/sailing clubs in the Netherlands with 2400 members.
Apart from a special celebration with a visit of her majesty Queen Beatrix, they decided on a design competition. This competition was aimed at combining the two major activities of the club, sailing and rowing. Both activities should be possible with the same boat and at a serious level. The boat should also allow camping. The result is an exiting new class, which makes roaming in the most remote area’s possible.

November 27th 2001, this design won first prize in the design competition of the
Royal rowing and sailing club "De Maas" in Rotterdam.

The design.

The design, is a compromise between sailing, rowing and camping. Rowing in an athletic way requires the hull to be narrow , sailing and camping require a much wider hull. The competition rules stated that the use of rolling seats for rowing was preferred, and as they stated that they wanted a "sporty" design allowing for athletic exercise, both rowing and sailing.

The hull width of 85cm (2’ 91/2") on the waterline and 115cm (3" 91/4") on the deck (including wings 165cm 5’ 5"), and the length of 7m (22’ 111/2") are all aimed at the ease of rowing. For this I would have liked to decrease the width even more and use de-mountable riggers, but the competition rules did not allow this.

Instead I have used wings, fixed to the hull. These can also be used during sailing to bring body weight to windward. This is absolutely required as the hull is pretty narrow to carry the 6,5 sqm (70sqft). Then why choose such a large sailarea. I personally would like to really sail, and not have a rowing shell with a small (2 sqm, 22sqft) canoe style sail.

The mast, gaff , sails, rudder, centerboard and hanging bands are stowed when rowing.
The slidingseats (clipped to the floor) and the oars are stowed, below the foredeck when sailing or overnight.
The mast and gaff are use to attach the ultra-lightweight tarpaulin for the nighttime. The oars are use to weigh down the edges.

The foredeck and aftdeck are enclosed. These spaces are watertight, protecting the camping gear from the weather and when capsizing. Combined with the double bottomed construction, this makes for a very dry boat. As the gaff and the oars are longer than the foredeck-space, rubberseals are use prevent water from penetrating.