Sailing the Atlantic.

[Speedbird-1]

Englishman, Andrew Bedwell, sets sail across Atlantic in one-metre long boat in hope of breaking record.

A British dad has set sail from Canada in a one-metre long boat as he attempts to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the smallest ever vessel.

It may sound like a daunting feat, but Andrew Bedwell, 49, said he was feeling “quite chilled” about the about his 1,900-mile solo trip to the British Isles.

The mariner, who left St John's, Newfoundland on Saturday, spent three years hand-building his fibreglass micro-yacht – named Big C – in the garage of his home in Scarisbrick, Lancashire.

In an interview last year with Practical Boat Owner magazine, Bedwell said he'd named the boat after his friend Tom McNally, who helped him design and build the boat before dying of cancer.

Bedwell came up with his idea after reading a book by current record holder Hugo Vihlen, who made the dangerous crossing in a 1.6 metre boat 30 years ago.


Looks like a Yachtmaster, he's wearing.


I wish him, good luck.

[Moondoggy]

Goodness me, he could be wearing anything, what a mission thanks for sharing.

[MrGoat]

Thanks for sharing Steve!! This will be quite a feat to achieve.

Hopefully he makes it and I too wish him the best of luck!!


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[brandrea]

What a great story Steve, thanks for bringing it here

Do you know if there is a place we can see updates of his journey?

[joli160]

As a master mariner 40 years at sea and counting I crossed these waters far too often for my liking.
It’s not fun most of the times.
I have met a few of similar characters on open water and needed to supply them with fuel, water and rations. To me this is nothing short of a suicide mission.

Don’t know if he is brave or just silly.

[1William]

Why? Seems like a trip that you might not survive. Again, why?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by joli160

As a master mariner 40 years at sea and counting I crossed these waters far too often for my liking…:

That’s awesome

Any idea how long the trip might take him?

Is there any way he can time the voyage for the best weather outcomes?

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by joli160

As a master mariner 40 years at sea and counting I crossed these waters far too often for my liking.
It’s not fun most of the times.
I have met a few of similar characters on open water and needed to supply them with fuel, water and rations. To me this is nothing short of a suicide mission.

Don’t know if he is brave or just silly.

Ditto. Not to mention the times engaged in SAR when they do go missing.

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s awesome

Any idea how long the trip might take him?

Is there any way he can time the voyage for the best weather outcomes?

He will be taking advantage of the westerlies for his sailing from Newfoundland to England. They are not at their strongest during summer but I suppose late spring would be the safest bet as the weather is smoother overall. Hurricanes are also less likely (if not impossible) during this period, mean right now. At some point he's expected to meet the axis of the Gulf Strean, too. So that will speed him up. Some 2000 nautical miles at an average speed of 2 knots and he's looking at a month and a half at the very least...Not fun if you asked me.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by minute_man

Ditto. Not to mention the times engaged in SAR when they do go missing.



He will be taking advantage of the westerlies for his sailing from Newfoundland to England. They are not at their strongest during summer but I suppose late spring would be the safest bet as the weather is smoother overall. Hurricanes are also less likely (if not impossible) during this period. At some point he's expected to meet the axis of the Gulf Strean, too. So that will speed him up. Some 2000 nautical miles at a speed of 2 knots and he's looking at a month and a half at the very least...Not fun if you asked me.

Fantastic information Basil, thank you

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Fantastic information Basil, thank you

Always welcome, Brian!

I'd take the same trip on one of these:

[Booth9999]

No thank but good luck sir!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by minute_man

Always welcome, Brian!

I'd take the same trip on one of these:

That would be more size appropriate for me as well

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That would be more size appropriate for me as well

Size does matter after all

[GB-man]

There’s always the crazy one.

[THC]

Wilson… !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Maleg]

How does he store provisions for over a month at sea? The craft can barely fit him, much less food and water. Surely he has a support boat along side to resupply frequently.

I have no doubt that the craft can make the journey. Empty barrels do it all the time. I question whether it’s truly a solo journey if you have another boat helping along the way.

I vote silly on this one.

[RW16610]

Wow, what a feat this is. It'll be quite the record of he makes it across safely, so I'm truly hoping for that.

[Speedbird-1]

When I follow my own head, I am, in general, much more correct in my judgment than following the opinion of others.

Lord Horatio Nelson


The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remain ashore...unlike the mediocre, intrepid spirits seek victory over those things that seem impossible...it is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors...to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown.

Ferdinand Magellan



I think you can follow Andrew, on Facebook.

[Bro Watch]

https://youtu.be/GtIQX9Yjpxk

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[AzPaul]

Brit's dream to sail across the Atlantic from Canada to Cornwall in a home-made 3ft yacht ends in heartbreak after the vessel takes on water and is destroyed while still in the dock.

An adventurous British father's dream to sail across the Atlantic from Canada to Cornwall in a tiny homemade yacht has ended in heartbreak after the vessel filled with water and was destroyed while still in the dock.

Andrew Bedwell planned to make a 1,900-mile trip from Newfoundland, Canada, to Falmouth, Cornwall, in his 3ft by 11ft fibreglass yacht called Big C - which would have become the smallest boat ever to cross the Atlantic.

However, after being forced to return to land shortly after setting off from Canada at the weekend, the 49-year-old has broken down in tears and officially called off the ambitious voyage in aid of cancer charities despite three years of painstaking planning.

[JasoninDenver]

Probably for the best.

[Maleg]

I was wrong. The craft could not make the journey.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I was wrong. The craft could not make the journey.

I can’t find anything. Did he fail?


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[Maleg]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I can’t find anything. Did he fail?


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Yes. Took on water shortly after departing, turned back to port, and the craft was irreparably damaged trying to get it out of the water.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by Maleg

Yes. Took on water shortly after departing, turned back to port, and the craft was irreparably damaged trying to get it out of the water.

Well that sucks.


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[Romeojk]

It seems crazy to do that in something so small, but a guy in the 60's did it. I was intrigued about the guys from the 60's because I now live in Falmouth MA and I thought he was a bit bananas too, but hey, to each his own. That trip was from Falmouth MA to Falmouth England. In a 13' wooden sailboat. The book is titled Tinkerbelle and is a good quick read.

Tinkerbelle https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinkerbelle


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[Andad]

Thanks for the thread Steve.

Good to see he survived and that he is ok.

[Romeojk]

BTW, yes Steve, good thread and thanks for sharing. Some daring people out there.


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[White Collar Boy]

Well, thank goodness. His 10-year old daughter still has a daddy around.

[Speedbird-1]

Disappointing though.