Dan's Papers - February 8, 2008

After successfully rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in 36 days and 55 minutes, thereby setting two world records for a crew of four, skipper Roy Finlay is safely back at home on Shelter Island. In a challenge race for the Blue Riband Trophy that started on December 15, 2007 in the Canary Islands and ended around 10 a.m. January 20, 2008 on the island of Barbados, Roy Finlay's quest for adventure was satisfied. Aboard the 30' Orca, he realized two dreams - being the first multi-hull rowboat to cross any of the world's oceans, and achieving this goal while setting a world record time for a rowing crew of four. The 43' La Mondiale won the race and the trophy, also setting a world record at 33 days 7 hours and 30 minutes. But La Mondiale had a crew of 14, with eight men rowing at all times. Thus, both crews set world records.

Battling stormy dark nights, with thirty foot waves, 45 mph winds and rain, plus losing their electronic communications due to water that at one time measured six inches in the bilge, the crew of the Orca overcame forces of nature to enjoy the sweet smell of success. In addition to Finlay, 46, the crew included first mate Denis Richardson, 32, tech guy Chris Cuddihy, 53, and master of the menu, Ronnie Desiderio. Finley credits co-designer Jim Antrim for helping him create the first multi-hull rowboat to cross any ocean. "The Orca performed way beyond my expectations," he said, smiling, after a safe crossing.

The Orca celebrated two other accomplishments. First, it was "world's fastest four," meaning it was fastest crew to cross the Atlantic, and reaching the fastest speed of a rowboat crew of four - achieving 17.3 mph riding down a 20-30 ft. wave. According to Finley, "On that run we were moving so fast we could have pulled a water skier." The second accomplishment was that the crew actually averaged 24-hour runs of 116 to 123 miles per day. Subtracting the three days they had to use an ocean anchor because of a brutal storm, the men covered the 3,000-mile journey in 30 days of rowing.

When rowing, the oarsman steered with the oars. Most of the time two rowers paddled in one-hour shifts. The southerly route had warm weather and warm water and at noon each day the crew took a break for a recreational swim. Finley said the crew took 350 pounds of food along, ranging from cans of Chef Boyardee spaghetti and meatballs and ravioli, to freeze-dried goods and canned fruit. In fact, when the crew arrived in Barbados all that remained in the inventory was four cans of Spam. For water, each crewmember had a Swiss made Katadyn desalinator manual water filter. Each man used his own water filter to produce the one and a half gallons of water consumed per person each day.

Water became the theme of the trip. The voyage began with good weather and a good full moon, and ended with one. But in between the crew rowed the 9 1/2 foot-long carbon fiber oars in darkness and rain, which fell for almost three of the four weeks. The men were constantly battling storms and huge waves. Finlay recalls that 23 flying fish actually landed in the boat, and one morning after getting beat up by waves and weather, the boat was littered with dead fish, beaten to death by the force of the boat crashing through the 20-30 foot waves in the darkness of an ocean storm night. Skipper Finlay said, shaking his head, "In the pitch black you knew what was coming, but then you didn't."

In the big wave storms, the oars were brought in and Orca was steered with a rudder. All the water from the bad weather destroyed the Orca's communication capacity. Other than a handheld VHS with a 20-mile range, there was no way to reach the outside world after day three. In fact, the only vessel that ever answered the VHS was Captain Chan of the Philippines, aboard the container ship Chirio. Chan and Finley are now destined to be lifelong friends. It was Captain Chan who eventually notified the crew's families that they were all okay after many days in a communications blackout. Finley's handheld GPS was used for the navigation.

Along the way the crew saw two whales, sharks, a sea turtle, lots of flying fish and of course, the friendly dolphins. The men had blistered hands, and despite using both Vaseline and silicon seats, they all developed open sores on the buttocks - the most unpleasant physical distraction.

Finley doesn't plan to sit still for long. This summer he will help manage another crew that plans to row Orca from New York to Paris. He is also intent on challenging La Mondiale in a summer 2009 event from New York to Glasgow. However, it will be management from hard ground. Finlay has promised his wife Colleen and his two young sons, Roy and Charlie, that his days of actually rowing across the seas are over.