Saturday's New Zealand Boat Marathon Commission race off the coast of Oamaru was a test for the crew of speedboat Vindicated.
It was the first time Ashburton's Billy McEwan,formerly of Oamaru, and Dunedin's Shane McCabe had ever raced on the ocean.
Mr McEwan said despite enjoying what the ocean course offered over the usual lake or river format, the decision was made early to pull out of the 100km race.
''We didn't want to break the boat - we can't afford another one. It was making some good noises.''
He had previously only worked as crew before this year.
''I actually got a dispensation when I was 15, to crew with my father and his crew.
''A lot of guys had their wives as crews and so when it got rough they'd come and get me. That was about 25 years ago.''
He eventually left the sport after five years and returned this year to compete. The affordability of boats made it happen, he said.
Saturday's race in Oamaru was not just about points in the eight-race marathon series, he said, it was about seeing if the boat could handle the site and see what needed to be improved for the race next year.
He said words failed him when it came to trying to compare what it was like to race on the ocean rather than a more flat surface like a lake.
Earlier in the race series, their boat had no trouble reaching speeds in the 120kmh-130kmh area, but on the Oamaru coast the boat could only muster 75kmh.
''[The sea] was really rough on the boat and the body.''
He recommended to anyone curious about marathon racing to give it a go.
''It's not just the racing - it's the weekends. You take the family away and everyone loves it.''
