The American Pearl:
Vessel Makeover Ensures Safer, More Comfortable Journey

"Pearls in themselves are things of mystery and adventure.  If you follow the career of a single pearl it will give you material for a hundred tales."  -- Isak Dinesen

 The 23-foot American Pearl has been Tori Murden?s companion through three ocean rowing endeavors ?  most famously bringing her within 950 miles of the West Coast of France in 1998 during a west to east solo attempt to cross the North Atlantic. 

Murden?s 1998 solo journey was cut short on the 85th day of the row, when, after bravely enduring more than 15 capsizes (including a ?pitch pole,? or end-over-end capsize) and a severe battering from the remnants of Hurricane Danielle, she was forced to abandon the attempt and her boat.  As she was rescued by the containership Independent Spirit, Murden saw that the seas were still too dangerous for a rescue of the American Pearl as well.  She asked that the crew not attempt to retrieve it.  Incredibly, the boat was recovered intact off the coast of Portugal by a tanker several months later.  

   With the 1999 trans-Atlantic solo row, Murden and her trusted American Pearl have again embarked on another adventure.  To prepare for the endeavor, Murden ? with the help of friends and marine architects at Sponberg Yacht Design  Inc. ? made a number of modifications and repairs to the American Pearl, completely rebuilding several portions of the vessel.

 The American Pearl:  Beginnings

The original American Pearl was built by Murden and friends Bob Hurley and Noreen Powers from a kit during the summer of 1997.  The single hull design rowboat was constructed for competition in the October 1997 Port St. Charles Atlantic Rowing Race ? a two-crew, 3,000-mile race from Tenerife in the Canary Islands to Port St. Charles, Barbados.

Murden and rowing partner Louise Graff were the only American entry, and the sole all-female crew. It was tough going for the Americans.  After Murden rebounded from an early bout with food poisoning and resumed the race, their electrical equipment failed, forcing Murden and Graff to abandon the competition for the second time.

 Murden, Hurley and Powers consulted with accomplished French seaman and Sector No Limits? Team member Gerard d?Aboville on the design modifications needed for Murden?s 1998 solo row attempt. The main conversions were simple, but significant: add a dagger board at the front of the craft to help prevent strong winds from pushing the boat laterally; replace the original rudder with a much larger one; develop a better design for long-range steering.

Stability:  A Crucial Element

For any ocean journey in a small vessel, stability is of utmost importance.  Due to the potential size of breaking waves, it is likely that the American Pearl will capsize during her Atlantic crossing.  Last year, Murden capsized more than 10 times during just one 12 hour period as she battled the remnants of Hurricane Danielle.  For Murden, the American Pearl?s ability to self-right meant the difference between life and death.

 The angled cabin top gives the American Pearl a major design advantage. In an inverted position, the boat is completely unstable and self-rights and self-bails immediately.  To help maintain the rowboat?s stability throughout the crossing, the boat has two water ballast tanks which Murden can fill as needed.  Although 55 gallons of water make the boat heavier, not to mention difficult to accelerate, the weight enables the boat to ?carry her way.?  American Pearl will plow through conditions that might slow, stop or capsize a lighter vessel.

 The American Pearl?s underwater design also adds stability. The long keel provides exceptional directional steadiness, making it easier to stay the course. The simple rudder and cable steering device, combined with the boat?s fairly flat ?hard chine? underwater shape helps minimize the work load.

The 1999 American Pearl:  Added Safety and Comfort in a Lighter Boat

In rebuilding the American Pearl for her 1999 Atlantic solo row, Murden?s main goals were to make the boat as light as possible and improve the safety and stability of the boat ? added comfort, while not as important, is a welcome enhancement. 

 Several original sections of the boat were removed and rebuilt with foamcore marine-grade plywood.  This, along with other design and equipment modifications, lightened the boat 200-300 pounds.

 Murden took a beating last year as she was tossed about in the American Pearl cabin during Hurricanes Bonnie and Danielle.  At one point, her back was slammed into a sharp, hard-edged rib, (ribs reinforce the cabin ceiling) breaking the rib and injuring her back.  All ribs inside the cabin were redesigned for Murden?s 1999 voyage.  Smoother-edged ribs are now heavily padded with foam so that Murden is better protected in the event of a capsize.  The American Pearl?s daggerboard and rudder were both modified for better control in contrary winds.  Finally, a plexiglass viewing port was placed in the stern so that Murden can monitor the sea anchor without going outside the cabin in a storm. 

 For added comfort, the cabin ceiling of the American Pearl has been raised by four inches in the front so that the six-foot tall Murden can sit upright.  Last year, her only options were to lie down in the cabin or sit uncomfortably hunched over.  Murden is staying cooler with four newly installed cabin ventilator fans (cabin temperatures on her 1998 trans-Atlantic trip reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit).  Heat reflective fabric has also been attached to the roof and sides of the cabin to reduce heat buildup.  ?It?s like the Taj Mahal now,? Murden said prior to departure.      

 Vessel Specifications
American Pearl?s above-waterline design delivers an efficient, reasonably comfortable living space for Murden?s voyage.  The egg-like shape is patterned after one of nature?s strongest forms, enclosing maximum volume with minimum materials. The design also offers low wind resistance.

A watertight bulkhead divides Murden?s living space at the rear of the boat from the deck where she rows.  The living space has an additional watertight hatch for electrical components and communication equipment.  A second watertight bulkhead protects the smaller front storage compartment, where Murden stores extra supplies and equipment that is not used on a regular basis.

 The American Pearl is made of 3/8-inch marine plywood with fiberglass reinforcing and kevlar and includes 20 watertight compartments.  The vessel has the following specifications:

Length              Overall 23 feet

Width               6 feet

Draft                1 foot, 6 inches

Boat Weight             (empty) 1,200 pounds

Displacement             (loaded + Murden) 1,700 pounds

OARS              U.S.-made carbon fiber oars. Three pairs; one pair equipped with ?hatchet?

blades, and two pair equipped with ?spoon? blades.

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November 1999

Press Office             Julie Wellik, Kevin Plagman and Dana Ziegler