8.5m of beauty
The Whaleboat O28 is a carbon fibre/ foam/ epoxy matrix, vacuum infused ocean rowboat, 8.5m long, 1.9m wide, for a crew of 2 to 5.
The O28 doesn’t just have the looks – we know, she’s beautiful – but is also optimally functional.
Her longer waterline makes for a faster boat, with larger cabins, where even the tallest crew can rest in comfort, fully stretched out.
Designed for rowing
The O28 is designed to handle like a proper rowboat. We strongly believe in the pure class principle for the ocean rowing sport. Our design minimises the impact of the wind on all angles of the cabins, creating a much more versatile boat. It’s not built for running downwind only, and will deal with headwinds and side winds too. After all, we are part of the rowing family, not the sailing family.
#pureclasspurereward
Racing is key but safety is priority
The O28 is fully self-righting, even without ballast. The roll-test surpassed all simulation results. So in the off-chance of a capsize, relax. It won’t take long to roll back on your feet.
The entire inner structure of the boat is made of vacuum infused carbon fiber sandwich panels. Two keelsons combined with bulkheads make a compartment. Every single one of these 20 compartments is taped to the deck and the hull, creating individual watertight areas. Even with several punctures the boat will stay afloat. This extremely rigid and stiff construction makes the O28 one of the most seaworthy and safest on the market. Just smile and wave to the approaching freighter’s crew as they prepare for impact…
Tech talk
Robust autopilot capable of dealing with the slower speed of rowboats. Designed to steer much bigger rudders, it can adapt course continuously without getting fried like so many other autopilots. The entire steering system is mounted below the floor level, resulting in maximum aft cabin living space.
Sliding seats construction and adjustment system reduce lateral movement. Wheels are located beneath the seats, protected against direct impact from sea water. Seats stay attached to the boat at all times, and load on the wheel bearings is reduced.
Anatomic seats designed by a prosthetic technician to reduce those backside pains.
Recessed solution to lock the dagger board, keeping the deck area flush and clean. No more injuries to toes and feet caused by protruding dagger boards.
More tech talk
Revolutionary foot steering system using a wheel instead of a rotating footplate. Wave goodbye to knee inflammation and strained ankles.
A look at the stern
The extended cabin surface has space for optional extra solar panels, in case you crave that extra long shower!
We flattened the aft section slightly to optimise the surf hydrodynamics. Adding more initial stability and reducing the risk of broaching when surfing down a wave.
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24 days on the ocean.
Mentally it is heavy, really heavy, the guys are being challenged every single hour but they are stronger than expected. Eyes on the land of Antigua!
The countdown has begun and we all can’t wait to see them finish!
#twac2019 #excited #oceanrowing #rowing
#rowinglife #vandurmebrothers #ultimateadventure #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #focus #adrenaline #motivation #aliveandkicking #handicapinternational #hibelgium #charitydonation #supportcharity #rowingbrothers #whaleboatO28
Carbon fibre, vacuum pressure gauges, infusion lines, epoxy resin catch pots, tacky tape, curing ovens, etc...
#highend materials needed to build #stateoftheart #oceanrowingboats at #whaleboat. Built to last.
#whaleboat028
#oceanrowingboat
#oceanrowboat
#techstuff #builttolast
#boatbuilding
#boatbuildingisanart
#pureclasspurereward
#carbonfiber
#lightweight
#adventure
Damien and Bernard wish you a merry Christmas from the middle of the Atlantic! 🎅🏼
Do you have an interesting question for the boys? Comment below and who knows, maybe you’ll receive a personal message from these two!
#twac2019 #excited #oceanrowing #rowing
#rowinglife #vandurmebrothers #ultimateadventure #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #focus #adrenaline #motivation #aliveandkicking #handicapinternational #hibelgium #christmaspresent #charitydonation #supportcharity #rowingbrothers #whaleboatO28
Our first sunset in La Gomera and it is absolutely beautiful!
This adventure is full of so much promise!
#twac2019 #excited #oceanrowing #rowing
#rowinglife #vandurmebrothers #ultimateadventure #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #focus #countdown #adrenaline #motivation #aliveandkicking #handicapinternational #hibelgium #whaleboato28
40 days left before the start!
Who hasn’t seen our boat yet?
Did you know that, as long as we are able to give power trough the stroke and achieve speed, the tip of the boat is designed to cut like a knife through butter?
🚣 whaleboat_boatbuilding 📷 koendegezelle
#twac2019 #oceanrowing #atlanticcrossing #wildspirits #adventure #boatbuilding #rowingboats #carboninfusion #rowing #brothers #brothership #vandurmebrothers #rowingbrothers #rowinglife #twac19 #twac #handicapinternational #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #row #adventure #atlanticadventure #sportersbelevenmeer #sport #sportvlaanderen #atlanticcampaigns #whaleboatO28
#twac2019 #excited #oceanrowing #rowing
#rowinglife #vandurmebrothers #ultimateadventure #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #focus #adrenaline #motivation #aliveandkicking #handicapinternational #hibelgium #charitydonation #supportcharity #rowingbrothers #whaleboatO28 #ghentianbrothers
#twac2019 #excited #oceanrowing #rowing
#rowinglife #vandurmebrothers #ultimateadventure #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #focus #adrenaline #motivation #aliveandkicking #handicapinternational #hibelgium #charitydonation #supportcharity #rowingbrothers #whaleboatO28 #ghentianbrothers
The boys had a rough first 24h. They got caught up in strong underwater currents, which was almost impossible to get out of. Because of the currents combined with heavy weather conditions, Damien en Bernard both suffered from seasickness. Luckily the weather got better and they were able to get on the right track. The boys were thrown into the adventure but lessons are learned and they made the best comeback possible! At the moment they’re in 3rd place of the duo teams and 21rst in total. Follow them through the YB races app.
#twac2019 #excited #oceanrowing #rowing
#rowinglife #vandurmebrothers #ultimateadventure #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #focus #adrenaline #motivation #aliveandkicking #handicapinternational #hibelgium #whaleboato28
Full focus, no stress and eyes on the prize! The Van Durme Brothers made a quick start today and are on the 19th place of a 35 team fleet. The boys are excited to take this adventure to the next level and are ready to shine!
Stay updated!
#twac2019 #excited #oceanrowing #rowing
#rowinglife #vandurmebrothers #ultimateadventure #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #focus #adrenaline #motivation #aliveandkicking #handicapinternational #hibelgium #whaleboato28
Passing by whaleboat_boatbuilding where the top half of the boat is built! At least the construction of the boat is not stopped during these crazy times. This is the boat koendegezelle, Gijs and I will be crossing the ocean with!
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#vayamundo #secutec #adventure
#oceanconservation #7summits #lovemountains #dungeons #snailmailing #scull #choosemountains #oceans #oceanlover #surf #sea #whaleboato28
Mooi artikel in knackweekend van wimdenolf !! Zeer fijn interview met iemand die zijn research grondig doet en daardoor de interessante vragen stelt, merci voor het artikel! Lees het volledig online (link in bio) of koop het in de winkel.
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Great article by knack (big Belgian magazine) about my life in adventure. Only in Dutch and French.
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#vayamundo #secutec #adventure #cyclinglife #whaleboato28 #whaleboatc23 #rowing #island #beach #7summits #climbing #outdoors #rowing #surf #trekking #yoursecurityaboveeverything #proud #bikelife #sports #travel #tourism #touring
Fresh proteins for the boys!
They found a dead flying fish on board and decided to eat it. First solid food in 28 days, Damien and Bernard couldn’t be happier!
#twac2019 #excited #oceanrowing #rowing
#rowinglife #vandurmebrothers #ultimateadventure #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #focus #adrenaline #motivation #aliveandkicking #handicapinternational #hibelgium #charitydonation #supportcharity #rowingbrothers #whaleboatO28 #ghentianbrothers #flyingfish