Sailor in tiny boat back to try again after last vessel smashed and ruined record dream
A sailor whose dream of breaking the record for smallest boat to cross the Atlantic was shattered when his boat smashed to pieces is back to give it another go in a brand-new vessel.
Andrew Bedwell (UK) saw his dreams dashed in 2023 when he prepared to launch his boat Big C into the water to begin his 1,900-mile (3,057-km) journey.
The boat, that measured a tiny 1.19 m (3 ft 10 in), was dropped on to concrete and smashed, ending his three-month journey before it had even begun.
He had vowed to come back stronger, and now, he’s ready to set off again.
His new boat, Big C V2, is just as tiny, but with some big design changes.
Andrew in Big C V2
Andrew told us: “Well it’s a complete new design and build, last time it was GRP, this time we’ve gone to aluminium.
“I’m feeling fine about the vessel and the attempt, just obviously hated what happened last time.”
Andrew is heading to St John’s, a city on Newfoundland island off Canada’s Atlantic coast, and from there he’ll hopefully head south west and into the Gulf Stream, although he says the wind direction will essentially end up dictating which course he takes.
The course he’s aiming to go down would take him three months, and the sailor tells us he’s confident he can claim the record this time around.
Read about more epic adventures and amazing physical feats in our Sports and Fitness section.
The title is currently held by Hugo Vihlen (USA), who crossed the Atlantic in his boat Father’s Day, measuring 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in), between 14 June and 27 September 1993.
Andrew will have to carry all of his own supplies in his boat, making its small size all the more impressive.
He’ll be raising money for charity Cancer Research UK through his challenge and says anyone who wants to follow his journey can track him on his website.
Andrew said: “[I want] to inspire people just to follow their dreams, and not do what a lot of people do and take their dreams to the grave.”
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All images courtesy of Andrew Bedwell.