Ocean rowing isn’t exactly a cheap way of spending a few months. From the cost of the boat and equipment to the expense of getting everything to the start, and back again, it’s added up to a fair amount (don’t worry, this isn’t affecting the money going to FARM-Africa!). But there are two approaches that can be taken: throw money at the project and get “the best money can buy” and have an all-singing, all-dancing shiny boat on the start line; or you can think about it a bit, and spend money where it’s necessary. Perhaps the best example of this onboard Pacific Pete is with the cooker. I challenge you to find a more effective solution, but it isn’t exactly high-tech!
The last few days have been a bit of an effort, and this was in danger of becoming a bit of a whinge-fest. But, today, it feels like I’ve turned the corner. Bearing down on 500 miles to go, I still need to regain about 45 miles north. Well, it certainly appears that there is a bit of a current helping me up. Whether it’s all in my mind or not, I really don’t care; as long as I’m going in a direction I’m happy with, and at a speed I’m happy with, that all adds up to a happy Sam, which is a good thing all-round!
I’ve also decided to get there as quickly as possible. One of the steps I’m taking is to try and cut out all time that I’m doing nothing. I figure that there’s enough non-rowing things to do that just the time taken to do all of them should give me enough rest. That’s the theory, anyway, and it only has to last around 10 days or so. Every 10 minutes needs to be filled, and that includes the time waiting for my rice to cook. So, today, I rowed a bit more!
Eating is a very big part of my life. Although I really can’t wait to get back to a less extreme diet, if the food doesn’t go well, I get miserable. So, the importance of the cooker cannot be underestimated. I can’t take credit for the design, as it was based on a description of the last one used, but how similar it is, I don’t know. Making something that can cope with a boat that doesn’t stop rocking, and rocks a lot, is no mean feat, but this has never spilled anything, and is so secure that I’m happy leaving it boiling away by itself while I row.
But, as I said, this is no high-tech solution. It consists of a square piece of plywood, with a kitchen gadget holder attached in the middle with cable-ties (what else?!). Into this holder goes a camping gas canister and burner, but not before a false floor has been made out of more cable-ties to raise it to the right level. Over the top of this sits an up-turned waste-paper bin with a hole cut out of the bottom to allow a pan to fit through, and a hole in the side to get access to the burner controls. It fits snugly onto little right-angled metal bits attached to the plywood (with the screws going through the bottom preventing any slippage, even in the worst weather). A pan can then sit securely, no matter how bad the weather, and my careless limbs are protected from getting burned!
So there you have it: a simple, cheap, and very effective solution to one of the most important bits on an ocean rowing boat. I do have a recommendation though; next time you’re in Homebase and someone comes up and asks you if you need help, start along the lines of “actually, yes. I’m trying to make a cooker for an ocean rowing boat, and so far I’ve got this bin and gadget holder. What would you suggest?”
The look on their face is brilliant!
