Round the world superboat takes shape

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 “Goodheart”, 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 “Goodheart”. 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 “Goodheart” 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 “Goodheart” 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 upright 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.

Further information:
www.circumnavigationrecord.com
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Clive Tully.c/o Boatshed Sussex.