Boat Name
Boat Use
Boat Type
Build Date
Country of Origin
Area of Origin
Boat Dimensions
Length
30 ft 5 in
Description
Hulu is probably the most sophisticated of British ocean-rowing boats. In it Hugh King-Fretts rowed from Tenerife to Barbados in 1984 in 100 days. It was built for Mr King-Fretts of North Devon.
History
On 30th January 1984, Hugh King-Fretts set out from Los Cristianos (Tenerife) in his purpose built boat HULU with intentions of rowing to Barbados.
One hundred days later, on May 8th, he landed at Conset Bay on the rugged east coast. His trip was not without its problems and within the first two weeks the self steering system and the radio failed.
Further to this the sliding seat kept breaking down and the front of the boat was soaking up water beneath the water line - flooding compartments and forcing Hugh to ditch much of his tinned foods.
Adverse westerly winds blew him back 150 miles and after 42 days he was only 650 miles from Tenerife with 2,400 left to row.
With never a thought of giving in Hugh regained his ground eventually sighting Barbados on the morning of May 8th 1984. By evening he was drifting rapidly towards the reefs when two fishermen towed him through the one narrow channel. During this tow a large surfer capsized Hulu, throwing Hugh into the sea - after which he was left to swim into Barbados through the reef.
It is hoped that Hugh will row Hulu across the Pacific at some date in the future, but the Atlantic trip has left him short of funds so he now has to rely on the backing of sponsors.
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