Earthrace.
Imagine a power boat that not only can ride over the taller waves in the open seas but which, should the need arise, is also capable of cutting through that same wave, to a depth of several metres. Imagine the same power boat being driven by organic, renewable fuel, derived from plant and animal fats. Sounds impossible, doesn�t it?
Well, I SAW that very boat today, in the upper basin harbour, here in Dunedin. About to gear up for a promotional tour, Earthrace will be embarking on a �round the world� trip, in an attempt to break the current time record, held by Cable and Wireless since 1998. Covering 24,000 nautical miles, it is a real endurance race. Circumnavigating the world is a huge challenge, not for the faint-hearted.
The trimaran was designed by Craig Loomes and is now captained by Pete Bethune, who has invested all he possibly can to make his dream come true. He will take a crew of just 3 others with him on this mammoth journey, though the interior is readied for up to 8 people. In cramped quarters, sleeping, eating, washing and relaxing will perhaps be the more difficult part of the endurance record! The external buoyancy tanks serve a dual purpose with small accessible areas devoted to storage for a few extra items of kit.
It was a delight to be able to see this futuristic vessel up close; with its huge �fins� it really reminded me of some cult t.v. shows idea of how we could all live at the bottom of the ocean! More amazing was the time the captain was prepared to spend explaining things to smaller children who were actively invited to clamber all over the hull and explore the boat fully!
Their aim is to complete the trek in 65 days or less, and in doing so they will beat the current record by 10 or more days. They intend to start off on March 1st, 2007, from Barbados. I was astounded to see the vessel, delighted at the opportunity and look forward to sharing in this record attempt, much as I did as a very small child, the travels of the late Sir Francis Chichester and his wonderful Gipsy Moth!
Good luck, safe voyage and have fun, Pete!
A few statistics for those who are interested:
Hull: wave piercing trimaran
Length: 24m/78ft
Beam: 7m/23ft
Draft: 1.3m/4ft
Range: 3,000nm/6,000km
Maximum Speed: 45 knots/90km per hour
Fuel: B100 Biodeisel
Fuel Capacity: 10,000 litres/2,500 gallons
Displacement: 10 ton
Construction: Carbon, Kevlar composites
Crew: 4
Beds: 8
Engines: 2 x 350 kW (540hp) Cummins Mercuriser
Gearboxes: ZF 305A, single speed
Air intakes: Top of wings to remain above waves while piercing
Windscreen: 17mm laminated toughened glass