Everything You Need to Know About Ocean Rowing with Us

Row Beyond Limits is more than a slogan — it’s a mindset. It’s about pushing past what’s expected, redefining what’s possible, and trusting in yourself and your equipment when everything else is stripped away.

This philosophy is rooted in the experience of our founder, Mark Slats — solo world record holder in the Talisker Atlantic Challenge and veteran of some of the most extreme rowing expeditions on Earth. Mark has rowed thousands of miles across open ocean, through storms, isolation, and physical exhaustion. His takeaway? Your mindset and your boat are everything.

That’s why we build boats for people who don’t just want to cross an ocean — but to own every mile of it. Row Beyond Limits is about total self-reliance, smart innovation, and the belief that even in the most unforgiving environments, you can keep going.

Whether you’re chasing a record or a personal breakthrough, The Ocean Rowing Company is here to get you there — and beyond.

All boats are designed and built at our facility in Wassenaar, the Netherlands. Yes, you’re welcome to visit us. Our partner Paul Dijkstra Composites is responsible for the composites hulls. 

Simple stated: the size! The hull design remains the same.

The D12 is the perfect boat for solo and pairs rowers crossing any ocean. D34 is the perfect boat for 4 and 5 teams, while our newest creation D23 stands in the middle, ideally for a max 4 persons (it’s build for the solo – which need extra storage, duo’s with some room to spare and off course 3 and even 4)

On average, 16 weeks from the first payment to final delivery. But it depends on your requirements, because each boat is bespoke. 

Everything you need to row across an ocean: the boat, installed systems, electronics, solar panels, safety gear, and one day of on-water training with Mark Slats. Please note: flares, survival suits and satellite communication devices are not included. 

Yes — in any colour you like…
…as long as it’s The Ocean Rowing Company Grey

We’re big fans of individuality — stripes, logos, neon pink dolphins — bring it on. But the hull? That stays grey.
Not just because it looks sleek (which it does), but because it’s practical, tough, and let’s face it — it makes every sponsor sticker pop.

Want to stand out? We’ll help you design the most eye-catching version of our favourite grey boat.

Awesome but hold your oarses. The payment process is as followed:

In four phases:

• 10% deposit (non-refundable) to reserve your build slot

• 40% before hull construction

• 30% after hull completion

• 20% before final assembly

Yes, but your 10% deposit is non-refundable — once you’ve reserved your build slot, that money is rowing full speed ahead and doesn’t turn back! And trust us, we’re just as heartbroken as you are — but once it’s launched, it doesn’t do U-turns.

Absolutely. Our leasing options are ideal for race campaigns. However, leasing is only for teams which are participating either the Pacific and Atlantic Toughest Row (or both) — and currently we have limited availability – most of our fleet is out on adventure! If you’re dreaming of rowing your way across an ocean, drop us a line to check what’s still docked and ready. No guarantees, but we’ll do our best to get you on the water (without having to wrestle a seal for it).

Currently we only offer leasing for the Toughest Row entries. We offer race ready leasing (up to 12 months), and longer leasing — and yes, the longer you row, the better the value (but also the more snacks you’ll need). Pricing varies based on duration and boat configuration, so reach out and we’ll find the plan that keeps both your crew and your wallet afloat.

A fully equipped boat, pre-delivery maintenance, safety systems, and optional training, routing and logistics support.

Yes. Our boats are designed and tested to meet ocean-going CE standards — because your boat should be as ready for the ocean as you are. We comply with the rigorous requirements needed for ocean rowing races and transatlantic crossings. Think of CE certification as your boat’s passport to adventure — and it never forgets sunscreen.

Yes. All our ocean rowboats are engineered to recover from a full capsize. Safety is at the heart of everything we do — Mark Slats has rowed through nearly every storm the Atlantic could throw at him, so we know what it takes to stay afloat and come back up smiling. Our boats don’t just self-right — they carry the legacy of experience that’s been tested in the wildest oceans.

Yes. Every buyer receives a full on-water training session with none other than Mark Slats — who’s personally rowed through storms most people only read about in survival books. We don’t just hand over a boat and wave goodbye; we prepare you for the real thing. We also offer extended training days, routing support, campaign planning, and race preparation packages — because if you’re taking on the world’s toughest oceans, you shouldn’t have to figure it out alone. We’ve got the oars, you bring the ambition.

Absolutely. We can provide technical drawings and spec sheets upon request. That said, some of our design secrets are like the Coca-Cola recipe — locked up tighter than a watertight hatch. But if you have specific questions or technical needs, we’re happy to help. We believe in sharing knowledge that helps you row better, safer and further — just not the full secret sauce.

Yes. We have experience arranging shipping across Europe, the US and beyond. For the World’s Toughest Row events, we regularly work with the start marina in San Sebastián de La Gomera (Canary Islands) and the finish marina in English Harbour, Antigua.

We offer both short-stay and long-stay storage options depending on your campaign schedule. Plus, we’ve developed a custom fast loader system — designed to get your boat into a container quickly, securely, and without breaking a sweat (or a solar panel). Carlo, our resident logistics captain, runs this show with military precision — and a coffee in hand. If you’re shipping out, he’s your man.

We retain ownership until full payment is completed — we keep it safe, polished and perfectly prepped, but technically, it’s ours until the last euro has been rowed across.

You are. Ocean rowing isn’t exactly knitting — it’s a high-risk, full-body, storm-dodging endeavor. TORC is not liable for any damage, injury or unexpected wildlife encounters resulting from the use of our boats or gear. We build them safe, but the ocean doesn’t hand out guarantees.

All our agreements fall under Dutch law and are subject to the jurisdiction of the District Court of The Hague. That’s right — straight outta Wassenaar, fully legal, fully binding, and fully waterproof.

Yes! We’d love to welcome you in Wassenaar — just give us a heads-up so we can sweep up the carbon composite dust and put the coffee on. You might even catch Mark sharing ocean stories or Tom adjusting a rudder like it’s a Stradivarius or Doortje — our fearless office pup — making sure morale stays high and sandwiches stay unguarded. She’s not great at rowing, but exceptional at tail-wagging quality control.

Absolutely. We believe in strong partnerships, shared ambitions, and a lot of ocean miles. Head over to our “Our Community” page to see who we’re rowing with — or reach out if you want to join the crew.

Don’t let them drift! Contact us here or send Mark a message on WhatsApp. We’re fast to respond (unless we’re on the water, in which case… give us a few strokes).

Mark Slats is a Dutch ocean rower, solo sailor, and the founder of The Ocean Rowing Company. He’s known for breaking records, pushing limits, and building boats that do the same. From rowing the Atlantic solo in just 30 days — smashing the previous world record by 5 days — to finishing second in the grueling Golden Globe Race, Mark’s experience on the ocean is what shapes everything we build.

Here are just a few of his highlights:

• 2017 – Solo Atlantic Row: 30 days, 7 hours, 49 minutes — a new world record.

• 2018 – Golden Globe Race: 2nd place in a solo, non-stop circumnavigation — 214 days at sea.

• 2020 – Atlantic Row (pair): Together with Kai Wiedmer, broke the world record in the World’s Toughest Row in 32 days, 22 hours.

• 2024 – Atlantic Row (team): Won the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic with Team Row4Cancer in 37 days, 13 hours, 20 minutes.

He doesn’t just row the ocean — he redesigns how it’s done.