Rannoch R20
High-end scale model of an ocean rowing boat, built for prominent corporate display.
Model Dimensions
Length: 2000 mm
Width: 460 mm
Width (including oars): 1800 mm
Purpose: Corporate office display
Client: Hyperion Insurance Group — a leading international insurance and reinsurance group
Hyperion Insurance Group is a leading international insurance intermediary with operations spanning the globe.
As part of a charity fundraising challenge that raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, the Hyperion Atlantic Challengers achieved a new world record. Their feat was completed aboard a Rannoch ocean rowing boat, a vessel type renowned for endurance events of this scale. The model we created commemorates this remarkable achievement, celebrating both the spirit of the challenge and the company’s commitment to making a global impact.
Following their new world record for the fastest two-man Atlantic crossing in the Hyperion Atlantic Challenge, we were entrusted by Hyperion Insurance Group to create a highly detailed and realistic 2-metre scale model of the Rannoch R20 ocean rowing boat used in the achievement.
The model was crafted with oars locked in the rowing position and finished in the identical colours, branding, company logos, and sponsor markings as the original vessel. Designed for prominent display within the company’s offices, it stands as both a celebration of the record-breaking voyage and a tribute to the charitable fundraising that accompanied it.
As there was limited technical documentation available for the vessel, we visited Rannoch Adventure’s boatyard to take precise measurements on site. Using the data collected, we developed a fully detailed 3D CAD model of the rowing boat, scaled to 2 metres in length and designed to be mounted on a custom metal plinth with oars fixed in the rowing position. The CAD model incorporated every detail required for production, including the specific manufacturing technologies to be used.
Given the model’s size, fibreglass was selected as the most suitable method for constructing the hull. The majority of fittings and fine details were produced using SLA and FDM 3D printing. Materials ranged from advanced composites, fibreglass, and resin to steel, brass, plastic, wood, glass, and fabric. The entire model was spray-painted to the highest standards, with each component post-processed, assembled, finished, and polished by hand.
To achieve maximum realism, all visible mechanical equipment was fully functional — from the sliding seats, ropes, pulleys, and rollers, to the oar locks and even a working compass. Certain scaled structures required additional reinforcement; for these, steel welding techniques were used to ensure long-term stability.
A custom metal plinth was manufactured to provide secure support while the model is displayed in the client’s office, ensuring both stability and an elegant presentation.
This custom model is a prime example of the combination of technologies and techniques drawn from multiple industries — from traditional model-making craftsmanship to the most modern manufacturing processes. The construction methods mirrored those used in real boatbuilding, with the model’s internal skeleton fabricated using the same approach as full-sized vessels: keel, frames, shell plating, and fibreglass coating.
For the final stage, the hull was finished with exact-scale artwork, branding, and colour schemes, replicating every company logo and sponsor marking from the original vessel. This attention to detail ensured the finished piece not only matched the boat’s physical form but also captured its complete visual identity, resulting in a display model that is both technically precise and visually striking.
Once the model was delivered, installed, and unveiled to the Hyperion Insurance Group team, it was met with genuine excitement and admiration. Staff gathered to take photographs and closely examine the fine craftsmanship, remarking on the precision of the details and the faithful replication of the original vessel.
The enthusiastic reception reflected not only the visual impact of the model but also the significance of the achievement it commemorates. As a permanent feature in the company’s offices, the piece stands as a lasting reminder of a record-breaking challenge, a successful fundraising effort, and the client’s connection to maritime excellence.