British sailor Andrew Bedwell is preparing for another attempt to cross the Atlantic in a vessel he hopes will become the smallest boat ever to complete the journey.
Bedwell’s previous attempt came to an abrupt end in 2023 after his vessel, Big C, was damaged before launch. The 1.19m boat was dropped onto concrete while preparations were under way for the crossing, ending the voyage before it began.
He is now preparing to set off again in a replacement vessel, Big C V2, which features a revised design compared with the earlier boat.
Bedwell says: “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.”
Bedwell plans to depart from St John’s in Newfoundland, Canada. From there, he intends to head south-west into the Gulf Stream, although weather conditions and wind direction are expected to shape the final route.
The crossing is expected to take around three months. Bedwell is aiming to surpass the existing record held by Hugo Vihlen of the US, who crossed the Atlantic aboard Father’s Day between 14 June and 27 September 1993. Vihlen’s boat measured 1.62m.
The compact dimensions of Big C V2 mean Bedwell will need to carry all supplies and equipment on board within a very limited amount of space during the crossing.
Last time around, Bedwell told media: “My wife’s going to be making these protein bags, basically, of food. And then we’re going to mould them into the hull to maximise space as much as possible.
“It will taste pretty vile, but it’s just to do the job, basically. There’s not going to be any kind of niceties in there – but my daughter might put the odd skittle in.”
He will obtain drinking water via a desalinator.
Alongside the voyage, Bedwell is raising funds for Cancer Research UK.
Supporters can also follow the progress of the attempt through his website.
Bedwell says: “[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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