“Chip off the old block” - Wayne Priddy gets on board Dad’s round the world record bid
“Chip off the old block”, Wayne Priddy gets on board his father’s round the world record bid.
Wayne Priddy will join the crew of Team Britannia, the British bid to design and build the fastest and most fuel-efficient powerboat to circumnavigate the globe.
He will join his father ocean racing legend Alan Priddy, on the revolutionary 80ft powerboat, which hopes to cut up to seven days off the current world record of 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes, held by New Zealander Pete Bethune.
The ground-breaking semi-wave slicing design of the boat will see the 20 ton vessel carve through the waves, rather than surfing them. The super-efficient design, a variant of the “fast displacement hull” will reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent and make the 23,000mile trip smoother and faster.
While the two race-tuned Fiat Power Train C13 500, 6 cylinder engines will run on a unique blend of diesel, water and surfactant. The emulsified diesel, which has been developed in the UK, will help the boat to extend its’ range while producing significantly less pollution than using diesel on its own.
Alan Priddy commented: “I am delighted to announce that with Wayne is joining the team. He proved his sailing abilities at age 15, when he was the youngest person to circumnavigate Britain in a powerboat, and now he will help us to smash the world record. Wayne is an excellent addition to the team in his own right, but of course I am proud that my son will be coming with me on this adventure. He is a chip off the old block.”
Wayne added: “I have grown up watching my dad take up challenge after challenge, so it gives me great joy to team up with him on his latest project. To be part of Team Britannia alongside so many experienced sailors and the veterans is a dream come true. It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The boat will be crewed by a team of 12, including five wounded or injured veterans on each of the seven legs of the voyage, who are being supported by Blesma (British Limbless ex-Servicemens’ Association).
Mr Priddy, who was born in Chichester, is well known in marine circles and was active in both youth sailing and RIB-racing.
The boat, which is being built at the Aluminium Boatbuidling Company on Hayling Island is expected to be launched in late December just before Christmas. The Team hope to name the boat in Portsmouth in January 2017, before undertaking an extended programme of sea trials to ensure it exceeds all safety requirements before setting off on challenging journey.
The record attempt will start in October 2018 in Gibraltar, using the iconic Europa Point as the as its timing mark.
To complete the record attempt the boat must pass through the Suez and Panama Canals, cross the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator and start and finish in the same place. The world record authorities, UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) have approved Team Britannia’s proposed route, which will start in Gibraltar and call at Puerto Rico, Manzanillo, Honolulu, Guam, Singapore, Oman and Malta to take on fuel.
Mr Priddy concluded: “We are entering an exciting phase of the project where we have got all our duck in the row. The boat is nearing completion with the hull being turned over imminently, before we start to kit her out with the latest navigation and communications equipment, the two engines and jets.
“While work on the boat has been steaming ahead, we have taken the time the complete the selection of the crew, both those who will do the full voyage and those who will do a couple of legs. All of those selected have undertaken sea survival and RYA powerboat level 2 and have demonstrated a commitment to the project and bringing the world record back to Britain.
“I am confident that we have an outstanding crew with the right mix of experience, tenacity and Getting the team right is vitally important if we are to beat the current record, with Alan part of an excellent team.”
ENDS