Boat Wrapping! Every now and then, a project comes along that pushes the limits of what we do, creatively, technically, and emotionally. When The Sussex Sign Company was approached to wrap a rowing boat for the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic 2025 – we knew it wasn’t going to be your everyday signage project.
This wasn’t just about creating a visually stunning wrap. It was about helping a courageous team – Seas Life – bring their mission to life, as they prepare to row more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, raising money and awareness for some incredible causes along the way.
The Challenge: Making a Boat Vinyl Wrap Fit for the Atlantic
At first glance, you might assume wrapping a rowing boat is similar to wrapping a van, but the truth is, it’s a completely different world.
Boats aren’t flat or uniform. They curve, flex, and taper in ways that make vinyl installation a complex, precision-driven art.
Every surface must be carefully prepared to ensure maximum adhesion, especially when the craft will be exposed to the most extreme elements on the planet, salt water, UV rays, high winds, and relentless waves.
From the first inspection at our wrapping centre to the final fit, our team handled the project with meticulous attention to detail. Every step was designed to ensure the graphics not only looked striking but also performed flawlessly under the harshest marine conditions.
As our Managing Director, Norman Mayhew, put it:
“This wasn’t just another job. It was an opportunity to use our skills and creativity to support something truly inspiring. We’re proud to know that our work will be part of a journey that tests human endurance, teamwork and purpose.
Behind the Design: Turning a Vision into Reality
The creative brief from Team Seas Life was to design a vinyl wrap that represented both their mission and the spirit of adventure.
Our design team took inspiration from the natural elements of the ocean, fluid shapes, bold blues and whites, and the powerful imagery of waves and motion, to create something that symbolised resilience and unity.
Once the design was approved, it was up to our production and wrapping specialists to make it a reality. Using premium marine-grade vinyl, the team worked over several days to transform the once-plain hull into a vibrant, purpose-built vessel, ready to take on one of the world’s most formidable challenges.
The process was filmed from start to finish, capturing not just the technical side of the project, but the passion and teamwork that went into every stage. You can watch the full story in our behind-the-scenes video here:
The World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic 2025 is exactly what the name suggests. Crews set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, rowing unassisted across the open ocean to Antigua, a journey of over 3,000 miles that can take between 30 and 50 days, depending on weather, endurance, and teamwork.
The Seas Life team isn’t just competing for glory. They’re rowing to raise funds and awareness for a number of important charities, supporting mental health initiatives, environmental causes, and community organisations that make a real difference.
Every stroke of the oars represents determination, resilience, and hope, and that’s what makes this challenge so special.
“Seas Life isn’t just a team. It’s a message, that ordinary people can achieve the extraordinary when they’re powered by purpose.”
More Than a Boat Vinyl Wrap: Supporting a Worthy Cause
At The Sussex Sign Company, we’ve always believed that great design should do more than just look good, it should inspire, connect, and make an impact.
Being involved in the Seas Life project gave our entire team the chance to contribute to something that embodies all those values. Whether it’s a business van, a storefront, or, in this case, a trans-Atlantic rowing boat, every wrap tells a story. And this one tells a story of courage, teamwork, and purpose.
We were joined during the final reveal by Ollie Phillips, former England Rugby Sevens Captain and ambassador for the challenge, who praised both the team and the design for its energy and message. The final moment, when the crew saw their finished boat for the first time, was one we’ll never forget.
The Technical Side of boat wrapping
While we’re best known for our vehicle wrapping and branding expertise across Sussex and beyond, projects like this show how versatile vinyl wrapping can be.
Many of the same principles apply, precision fitting, surface preparation, and creative design, but the Seas Life boat wrap also required a new level of testing and adaptation. Marine wraps must cope with constant movement, temperature changes, and prolonged UV exposure, so material choice and application techniques are critical.
Our technicians used specialist heat and pressure methods to ensure a flawless, long-lasting finish. The end result is not only beautiful, but built to last the entire Atlantic crossing and beyond.
Follow the Seas Life Journey
The Seas Life crew are now in final preparations for their Atlantic challenge.
You can follow their progress, training, and journey updates on social media:
Instagram: @team_seas_life
Website: World’s Toughest Row – The Atlantic
If you’d like to support their fundraising efforts, donations can be made via their JustGiving page. Every contribution helps the team raise vital funds for charities close to their hearts.
Why This Project Matters to Us
At The Sussex Sign Company, we’ve spent over 30 years helping organisations across the South East communicate their message through signage, graphics, and vehicle branding. But occasionally, a project comes along that reminds us why we do what we do.
The Seas Life boat wrap was a perfect example of how creative design, technical expertise, and human purpose can come together to make something truly meaningful.
We’re immensely proud to have played a part in their journey, and can’t wait to see this boat, built for endurance and powered by purpose, cross the Atlantic.
Final Word
As Seas Life prepares to take on the world’s toughest rowing event, we’ll be cheering them on every mile of the way. Their determination, teamwork, and passion are exactly what we try to capture in every project we do, from vehicle wraps to large-scale signage installations.
Here’s to smooth seas, strong oars, and a safe crossing. Good luck Team Seas Life, we’re proud to be part of your story.