Preview: Tom Robinson’s Row Across the Pacific, Part 2 – The Rowboat MAIWAR, A Close-Up Tour

37 Responses So Far to “Tom Robinson’s Row Across the Pacific, Part 2 – The Rowboat MAIWAR, A Close-Up Tour”

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  John Correa says:

  why is the sign in page tiny?

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  Nat Bray says:

  Simply Amazing.

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  Jean Wheeler says:

  Impressive in idea, plan and execution !

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  Peter Richardson says:

  Tom’s biography (on his website) is well worth a read – a typically Australian upbringing ( can identify with the ‘camphor laurel commune’ ) but also an atypical amount of determination and focus. Love the fact that he built the boat himself – takes the concept of self-reliance to another level.

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  Charles Coull says:

  Tom, This video was in every way brilliant already and then you lifted that beautiful sextant from its box and in some way that (alongside two EPIRBs etc) completely summed up your approach to this project. Thank you and best wishes for fair winds. Aye Charlie

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  Robert Triggs says:

  Bravo to you, young man! This is truly wonderful! I’m looking forward to following your progress!

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  Rick Pratt says:

  A nice boat. Your creation from start to finish.

  I have crossed an ocean twice, once on a 42′ sloop and once aboard a 110′ steel hulled fishing boat. Both times with a crew.

  I have no long distance single handing time logged nor any far offshore experience in such tiny craft, so I cannot comment intelligently….

  But it seems a very light creation and I wonder if the rigors of the mid pacific will not test it pretty severely.

  I will definitely keep up with your progress amigo. Best of luck and weather.

  Regards
  Adios

  Rick Pratt

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  Jennifer Read says:

  I would suggest those intending to comment head over to Tom’s website first and read his biography. It will change your idea about assumptions about his level of competence, his boating experience, and his ability to plan for his row across the Pacific Ocean. I am totally in awe with his life to this point and really look forward to following his rowing journey across the Pacific.

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  Robert Anderson says:

  Where’s the head?

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    Bill TATNELL says:

    Going with the ocean currents should hopefully give you some good fishing and plenty of sealife for company, as per the two La Balsa raft voyages from Equador to Australia in the 70s. You are a true adventurer.

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  Jud Greer says:

  I too am curious about a water maker. Great boat. Good luck!

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  dave nederhood says:

  Tom, congratulations on building your boat…she looks sturdy, very seaworthy, and should take you safely across the pacific. Curious of the physical training you’ve done to prepare, calculations around caloric consumption & resultant food stores to maintain your strength/weight. What the heck are you eating for 250 days? Any fishing? I saw chocolate suggested…always good, just keep it cool. Also curious as to what inspired you to conceive of this trip? And pls, before you shove off, eat everything in sight and put on an extra 5 kg or more…Will follow your progress and wish I could be there to celebrate your landing.

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    Tom Robinson says:

    Hi Dave,

    Thanks very much.
    Training involves going for a row every day, nothing special. This is not something one can really train for, good technique and general fitness are the cornerstones.
    I will be eating freeze dried, high caloric expedition meals, along with a large array of canned and dried foods. I will also be fishing. I am currently 5 kg heavier than a few months ago, hopefully a few kilos more by the time I set off.

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  William McCaffrey says:

  Great job. I think it would be smart to cover the protruding bolt heads / nuts in the cabin. Rough seas could mean a gassed head. Also, where is your first aid kit? emergency flotation? I’m all about safety when you are out on your own. Good luck mate – I’m cheering for you.

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    Ginny Jones says:

    Good point about the bolt heads, etc. Cover then up where possible — it is easier than trying to doctor a gash!

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    Tom Robinson says:

    Thanks William,

    Fear not, the bolt heads will be covered before my departure from Peru.
    First aid kit is packed in the container with the boat at the moment.
    Emergency flotation lines the aft storage compartment.

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  Philippe Guillemin says:

  Hello ; The comments on the presentation are – it seems a bit derogatory! Guy is 22 years old ; He should know what he want to do and how to do it ; Should be the rule instead of the exception ! With a friend we went across the atlantic on a 22 wooden sailing boat in the 70 ‘ The easy way from Britany to the Caribbean ; We were not the first and the only one ; Nothing special ; and we learned celestial navigation on the way! So it is easy , simple and not that dangerous ; certainly more dangerous to go across paris or NYC or any big city at night ; Do not make heros of people wanting to live their life outside of the boundaries , They are not heroes but real people ; the only real people

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    Philippe Guillemin says:

    forget to mention we were 16 and 17 when we crossed; Sorry

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    Ginny Jones says:

    Philippe — Tom and I corresponded several times about possible preparations to make and gear to include. He asked for my suggestions and for opinions from others. Several of us responded based on years of offshore sailing and long experience with wooden boats. He was gracious, and grateful. When the video arrived this morning and I watched it, we hadn’t corresponded in 6 or 8 weeks so I hadn’t seen how things are now and what he had added, modified, finished, up graded, etc in the interim. He has done a fabulous job and he is definitely taking the project seriously.

    BTW, I haven’t seen anything in ANY of the comments, then or today, which was either derogatory or negative. Everyone was really helpful and/or encouraging and friendly. Rowing solo across the immense Pacific in a 22′ boat is a far stretch from sailing from Brittany to the Caribbean with a pal.

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    Tom Robinson says:

    Philippe, what an adventure you must have had at such a young age! It must have been a fantastic time to be alive. I’m all for the normalisation of adventure. Bravo.

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  Ginny Jones says:

  So glad to hear that the adventure, and the journey, are moving forward (I had been wondering!). All that you have done, and all the care and thought that you have put into the design and construction of MAIWAR are amply evident. However, I concur that it would have been lovely to see some of the “housekeeping” elements — that would be outfitting, cooking and all that, I would love to see your water stowage (and maybe a water maker) and I love the safety features such as the grab rail over the top of the “bubble”, the tiny port hole, and the strap handles. All those will help to keep you safe. I would urge you to have some way to keep the drawers from sliding out. I didn’t see the safety kit (meds, dental and stuff) but I am sure that you will put a vetted selection on board because you have mentioned them, I would love to know what books you ultimately pick to take with you (or a KINDLE style reader that you can recharge).
  One feature that I do not like is the row locks/gates. I don’t like anything that hangs out (though you did move them in board) or that can snag onto something, break or whatever (despite spares). I hope that you have some sort of square sail arrangement that you can also rig for a little light relief from pure and simple rowing,
  don’t forget courtesy flags and — really important — don’t forget chocolate or perhaps something that won’t melt or turn into a sticky, gooey mess.

  No matter what your religious or spiritual beliefs, you may wish to have someone bless the. Enjoy the experience and someday, do come to Massachusetts to see the home of the whaleboats or to Mystic Seaport Museum where there “the real thing” are on display.

  Fair winds and safe passage

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    Tom Robinson says:

    Hi Ginny,

    Good to hear from you! A few people have asked about cooking arrangements.
    Once I’m in Peru and I’m all set to go, I’ll shoot some footage of the cooking setup and gimbal.
    A few improvements have been made to the boat since that video, including draw stops.
    The gate pins are removable for coming alongside.
    I have just finished writing a blog featuring the books I have packed, i’ll let you know when it’s up.
    I look forward to traveling to the States sometime after the trip!

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  Radclyffe Thompson says:

  Looks like you have thought of everything in designing and building your boat! My thoughts and prayers are with you as you make your historic voyage!

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  Captain Keith Korporaal says:

  You are such an inspiration to all… dreams, cultures, nations, and seafarers. God bless you, Tom, and enjoy! So many of us will be thinking and rowing with you. Be safe, young man, go West!

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    Captain Keith Korporaal says:

    Forgot to mention, Tom… you are certainly going to have a “Fair Dinkum” holiday! 😊

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  Joel Schwalb says:

  Tom, best of luck to you. After watching your tour of your boat, it looks like you have thought of everything that you will need. Maiwar is beautifully designed and constructed. Great job, she will serve you well. I’ll be following your journey. Bon Voyage.

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  Byron Fox says:

  I’ll be tracking you, Tom. Best wishes

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  Mike McAllister says:

  A really fantastic boat that looks to be well thought out. Really looking forward to keeping track of your journey.
  With all that positive energy, you will have a safe journey!
  Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  Richard Calvert says:

  Very sensible boat TOM and thoughtfully fitted out, the tour didn’t show how you would cook or prepare food,pump water.Have you thought of trolling for fish, probably need to surf a wave or two for speed :-) Well done so far may Neptune look after you. Ill buy you a midi in Brissy.Richard

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    Bruce Lyle says:

    I’d like to hear about the on board living logistics side as well.

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    Tom Robinson says:

    Hi Richard, thanks very much, I hope I can take you up on the offer of a beer! I will be using a gimballed gas hiking stove to boil water for my dehydrated meals. I will also have a larger gas camping stove I can use to cook ‘proper’ food. I will most definitely be trolling for fish, for food and morale.

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  Peter Jackson says:

  Good and safe rowing Tom.

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  Sean Hogben says:

  Tough enough to get across the South Passage bar so the South Pacific shouldn’t be a problem! Bon voyage Tom, the Straddie crew salutes you.

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  John Wujack says:

  Tom, Best wishes for your adventure from the Pacific Northwest, USA. Have you considered a whitewater style helmet for any less-than-perfect days in the cabin?

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    Tom Robinson says:

    Thanks John, it has crossed my mind but ultimately I decided to leave it out, there’s only so much one can fit into a 24′ whaleboat. If it gets really bad I can slide in under the lee cloth, preventing me from falling.

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  Antony Keyes says:

  Good on you Tom, you’re an inspiration, and a great ambassador for Brisbane. Bon voyage!

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    Chris Mills says:

    Well done Tom. Lovely strong boat and you look pretty fit for the job yourself. Peace and Blessings on every stroke.