Alan Priddy is one of the UKs most successful powerboat sailors and holder of 37 world records. Hes now planning to break the global circumnavigation record in a powerboat designed and manufactured on Hayling Island. Mr Priddy has been working on the idea since last year but is now looking at moving the project forwards.
Built on Hayling with the potential of creating 300 new jobs the craft is expected to go into production this autumn. The actual world record attempt will then take place from November 1 next year.
Mr Priddy wants to smash the current 60 day tally with a total duration of 53. The boats top speed will be 50mph although itll run at an average during the challenge. The current world record average speed was 16.8knots (19mph). During the 23850 nautical miles its hoped this will be exceeded.
Serving as a great commercial advertising campaign for boat building in the UK Mr Priddy is keen to highlight the Portsmouth areas potential for hosting such projects. The super boat will be a unique design and a product that can be exported worldwide. Its thought the luxury leisure market and rescue/military support services will be likely markets.
With plenty of small marine businesses in the Hayling area Mr Priddy believes the local economy will get a massive boost off the back of the project injecting tens of millions into the area.
You can find out more about the Global Challenge here www.circumnavigationrecord.com/Global_circumnavigation_world_record/Home.html. Theres also the once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the crew details of which you can find on the site.
