When it comes to boating records, they don’t come any bigger than circumnavigating the world, and for British ocean adventurer Alan Priddy, his second attempt at the powerboat round the world record, scheduled for the end of 2011, has seen the birth of a remarkable boat. Named “Good Heart”, the 90ft wave-piercing aluminium hull will be powered by twin diesel engines with waterjet drives, averaging 25 knots around the clock, with a top speed of 47 knots.
When Priddy tried before in 2002, the record was just under 75 days, and while his attempt in the Rigid Inflatable powerboat “Spirit of Cardiff” was unsuccessful, he learned some valuable lessons which have been incorporated in the design of “Good Heart”. Since 2002, the record has been trimmed down to just under 61 days by New Zealander Pete Bethune in his trimaran “Earthrace”. So now it’s not just a case of unfinished business, but national pride as well!
Amongst the crew joining Priddy on the attempt will be consultant psychiatrist and powerboat racer Jan Falkowski and travel journalist Clive Tully, both veterans of Priddy’s previous record-breaking trips, and British powerboat racing champion Shelley Jory-Leigh.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about “Good Heart” is the way she is being built. Rather than choosing a traditional boat-builder, Priddy went for Micklewrights Structures Ltd in the West Midlands, whose stock in trade is making steel-framed buildings.
“I particularly wanted their engineering skills and welding capability,” explains Priddy, “and the fact that they are open-minded not just towards the design of the boat, but the way it would be built.” The early stages of the hull’s construction have been completed with “Good Heart” upside down for ease of welding the enormous aluminium plates, but the end of July saw the boat rolled 180 degrees in a vast circular steel frame on rollers, ready for the deck and wheelhouse to be attached.
The most striking thing about the boat is its incredibly long and narrow bow, and the u’right sides giving her a modern-day “Dreadnought” appearance. One thing’s for sure. When the boat is finished and in the water, you won’t miss her. With her “Goodheart Red” paint finish specially formulated by DuPont, it’s guaranteed she’ll be a head-turner wherever she goes.
Technical specifications for “Good Heart”
| Length: 90 ft Internal beam: 10 ft External Beam:: 16 ft Draft 30 inches Build weight :15 ton Fuel capacity :30,000 litres Range: 5800 Nm Hull thickness: 8 mm plate with 8 mm overlay on keel and sides plus 8 mm triangulated inside keel = 24 mm |
Predicted Top Speed (20 tons): 47.7 knots Predicted slow speed (42 tons): 24.9 knots Predicted Average Speed per leg: 27.7 knots Engines: 2 x Fiat PowerTrain C13 500, 6 Cylinders in line Diesel, 500 hp @ 2000 rpm Water Jets: 2 x Castoldi Turbo Drive 490 HC with in built reduction gear and electronic neutral clutch Main Steering: Castoldi electric / hydraulic Navigation station: Raymarine |
General description of Good Heart moving from aft to forward
80 ft of advanced design
Full walk-in engine room
4 full size bunks in aft cabin with separate toilets and shower
Wheel house: 20 ft x 10 ft full size galley and seating for 12 persons: 1 driving position + 1 navigating position.
2 single cabins with full size beds
Toilet and shower
Double cabin with shared facilities
Workshop and stores
Chain locker
About Alan Priddy
57 year old Alan is the World Leader in extreme powerboating and guest speaker at the 2011 London Boat Show. Alan has gained over 37 world records in the past 10 years. He has powerboated and sailed around the world in both directions and he now knows what type of craft is required to break the World Record of 61 days. For full details about Alan’s outstanding past achievements view his website at www.offshore-expeditions.com
Further information: www.circumnavigationrecord.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CircumnavigationRecord
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Circumnavrecord
