Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

Amateur yachtsman announces world record attempt for smallest sailing vessel to cross the Atlantic

by Andrew Bedwell 12 May 2022 06:28 PDT
The tiny 'Big C' vessel Andrew Bedwell will attempt his Atlantic crossing on © Andrew Bedwell

Amateur sailing enthusiast Andrew Bedwell is putting the final touches to his tiny 'Big C' vessel, which he aims to sail across the Atlantic and bring a World record back to Britain!

Setting off in May 2023 from St Johns, Newfoundland the perilous 1,900 mile journey should conclude at Lizard Point, Cornwall some two months later and take the title of "the smallest sailing vessel to cross the Atlantic Ocean'!

Bedwell, 48, of Scarisbrick, Lancashire has previously taken a 6.5mtr mini transat racing yacht solo up into the arctic and around Iceland, setting off from Whitehaven, solo round Britain etc to list a couple but understandably this as his greatest challenge yet, with the journey expected to take approximately 60 days in the extremely compact boat.

The Big C attempt will be raising money for Cancer Research in tribute to the vessel original designer and previous world record holder, Tom McNally, who died from cancer in 2017.

The existing record dates back to 1993, set by American sailor Hugo Vihlen in a 162cm (5ft 4") craft The challenge is not being undertaken lightly with a huge amount of research put into the winds and tides with a full support crew lined up to help track and guide his progress.

Bedwell has been busy modifying the vessel which has been specifically designed for the purpose with 12 separate watertight compartments, is exceptionally stable and has an 'A' frame mast, dual furling headsails, outriggers and twin rudders. It has a completely watertight main compartment with open and closeable vents and a full dome that his head will be in almost all the time for navigation and watch keeping, with a full harness for rough conditions.

The main compartment has AIS, VHF and chartplotter inside along with solar panels at the rear, an internal hand cranked generator and a watermaker combined with an in-keel water storage compartment, along with all the other sea safety equipment. Food is being specifically prepared for the passage due to the extremely limited space and weight requirements and will be 'functional'.

"This is a long held dream of mine but I'm under no illusions it's going to be easy" explained Bedwell, "the lack of space, toilet and proper eating options will be the hardest for me, throw in a few Atlantic storms and it could get interesting!"

Bedwell has some passionate supporters but is looking for more assistance for his attempt. You can even become the title sponsor. You can find out more on Facebook 'Big C Atlantic Challenge' or online www.bigc-challenge.co.uk (under construction) or speak to Bedwell directly at

Related Articles

Course des Caps Update: A promising start!
The eleven crews have begun their grand tour around the British Isles The Course des Caps - Boulogne-sur-Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, which set sail from the shores of northern France, marks the first race of the 2025 season and kicks off the new edition of the IMOCA Globe Series Championship. Posted today at 8:42 am
18ft Skiffs: Queensland 18 footer history
Decades of successful ideas and achievement Queensland's revival over recent seasons, which resulted in a two-pronged attack by experienced and young teams in new skiffs at the 2025 Giltinan world championship Posted today at 6:46 am
Marine Auctions: Special July Online Auction
The bidding will end on Tuesday 22 July at 2pm AEST The alternative way of selling any type of vessel or marine asset with proven and successful results. Posted today at 4:03 am
Transpac 2025 underway
Sixteen boats hit the line for the first start, departing LA for Hawaii Sixteen boats hit the line for the first start of three in the 2025 Transpac. Next stop: Hawaii. Posted today at 1:13 am
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D2
A challenging southerly breeze and short three-lap course put teams to task A challenging southerly breeze and short three-lap course put teams to task on the second day of racing at the GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy in Marstrand, Sweden. Posted on 1 Jul
Stan Honey's 3 ways to win (or lose) the Transpac
Stan breaks down all three race segments Taking a breather from pre-race prep on the largest boat in the fleet, Stan breaks down all three race segments and provides a pre-race weather report. Posted on 1 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais - Practice Day
Will Platoon Aviation's big breeze, big pressure experience prove key to their fourth world title? Of the three past and present world championship winning crews which completed their final practice today in typically muscular 25 knot breezes and big waves out of Cascais, Portugal it was Harm Müller-Spreer's Platoon Aviation which showed best today. Posted on 1 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted on 1 Jul
LA28 sailing venue decision driven by politicians
The LA28 Olympic "dinghy" events will be sailed off the largest container port in the US The decision to stage the Los Angeles "dinghy" events alongside a working container port appears to have been a determination by local politicians. But other big changes to reduce the Sailing Olympics are pending. Posted on 1 Jul
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros day 3
The return of Super X Day 3 at the FPT Paros 2025 was a slower one - with a lay day with no wind anticipated and a late skippers meeting at 13:00 to assess the conditions, there wasn't much initially filling up the schedule. Posted on 1 Jul
Armstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - BOTTOMMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px BOTTOM