WITH 15,000 miles of racing on the clock, five careful previous owners and not a single capsize, this is no ordinary rowing boat – and it could be yours.
Jersey duo Steve Hayes and Pete Wright, who completed a gruelling eight-week race across the Atlantic last month, are now selling their boat in a bid to swell the charity coffers set up for the challenge.
The two men, racing as the DragonFish team, had shaken hands on a sale to a potential owner in the UK since finishing the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and returning to Jersey, but the deal has since fallen through and the ‘for sale’ sign has been reattached.
Originally named Sogno Atlantico, but more recently known as Lilly Mae, the boat was first used for an Atlantic crossing in 2013, and has made the trip on four more occasions since then.
Mr Wright said: ‘All the missions have been successful and she hasn’t capsized at any stage, which is a remarkable feat.
‘This latest crossing proves her worth, as to even enter the race the vessel has to be structurally surveyed and pass the most rigorous safety standards in the ocean rowing industry.’
The guide price for the boat, including a custom trailer and race equipment installed for the latest crossing, is £30,000, although the owners are open to ‘sensible’ offers from someone with aspirations to tackle the Atlantic, either as part of a pair or by themselves.
In selling the boat, Mr Wright and Mr Hayes will be putting the proceeds towards their designated good causes: Macmillan Jersey and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
After setting off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 12 December, the duo crossed the finish line in Antigua on 4 February in a total time of 54 days, 16 hours and 45 minutes, the 33rd crew to finish the race.
A total of 43 boats started the challenge. One was forced to abandon its attempt, 40 have finished and two solo rowers remain at sea but are said to be approaching the finish line.
