Conversations Best of 2025: The young boat builder who rowed across the Pacific
Dec 17, 2025
Tom Robinson, a young boat builder and adventurer, shares his incredible journey of rowing solo across the Pacific Ocean. At just 14, he vowed to become the youngest person to achieve this feat and meticulously crafted his own boat. Tom discusses navigating by the stars, his encounters with storms and marine life, and the emotional challenges faced at sea. He recounts his gripping rescue after his boat capsized and reflects on the profound experiences of isolation and community on remote islands, ultimately finding closure in his journey.
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A Promise Made At Fourteen
- At 14 Tom vowed to become the youngest person to row the Pacific and spent nine years preparing for it.
- He trained as a boat builder and handcrafted his own traditional wooden boat for the journey.
Designing Maywa The Whale Boat
- Tom designed Maywa, a 24-foot double-ended whale boat, inspired by 1860s whaleboat hull lines adapted for solo rowing.
- He added a small forward cabin and used some modern materials while keeping a traditional overall design.
Keep Traditional Navigation Skills
- Learn traditional navigation techniques even if you carry modern GPS as a backup to reduce reliance on batteries.
- Tom learned to use a sextant so he could navigate by stars if electronics failed.