Team to build fastest boat in the world

In 2008, 9m-long carbon fibre speed machine Vestas SailRocket hit the headlines after topping speeds of more than 58mph.

Now, the team behind the state-of-the-art vessel are going back to the boatshed for one last shot at the outright world title.

The new boat, being built at Vestas’ research and development unit at East Cowes, will be launched before the summer and team leaders are hoping their new boat could top 60mph to claim the title.

Pilot and project leader Paul Larsen said: “This represents a fantastic opportunity to develop a real breakthrough concept. Our first interpretation of it did a brilliant job of demonstrating the potential.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved but also very aware that we haven’t finished the job. I personally can’t live with that.

“The first boat did what it was supposed to do but by the time it did, the record had moved on.

“As it stands we still need to go two knots faster to break the current world record. I still believe our first boat could break that record but I also know she is near her limits. As a team we are now well positioned to design and build a much better, safer and above all faster boat.”

The first Vestas SailRocket was a seven-year labour of love for Paul and the SailRocket team.

The initial concept was designed by postgraduate students at the University of Southampton, while the final design was by Southampton-based naval architect Malcolm Barnsley and built at workshops in Woolston.

In December 2008 she hit a top speed of 51.76 knots in Walvis Bay, Namibia, becoming the fastest boat in the world with a rig of up to 21.84 sq m. Spectacularly, the boat also flipped over several times during the attempt, such was the speeds she was travelling at.

“We have put a lot more effort into making the boat stable in unusual situations,” Paul added.

“Our first version was a good boat but a lousy aeroplane. The next boat will be stable in both environments.”