The world's largest rowing boat is coming to Chattanooga.
The world's largest rowing boat is coming to Chattanooga.The world's largest rowing boat is coming to Chattanooga next month.
At 144 feet long and 926 pounds, the Stmpfli Express will be on display during the Head of the Hooch Rowing Regatta on the Tennessee River bank.
The regatta is Nov. 7-8, but the Stmpfli Express will be giving rides starting Nov. 5, according to a release from the Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"We hope that the Stmpfli Express will encourage people to take a look at rowing and rowing clubs in their community," Head of the Hooch committee member William Esterhuizen said in the release. "An outing in the Stampfli Express is the first step."
The boat, which originated from Switzerland in 2001, recently traveled to regattas in Boston and Philadelphia. It is arriving in Chattanooga in several pieces on Nov. 5.
Rowing crews, corporate teams or people simply looking to get a taste of rowing can ride for $25 on Nov. 5-6.
On Nov. 7-8, rides are $50 and will be available to experienced rowers only because the boat will be traveling near Hooch competitors.
Money raised will go to benefit rowing in Chattanooga and the National Rowing Foundation.
The Stmpfli Express is essentially three eight-person shells bolted together and can hold 24 rowers and a coxswain, Hooch assistant director Doug BeVille said in the release.
"It's very stable," BeVille said, "and even inexperienced people can learn to row in this amazing boat."