Crossing the Atlantic in a three footer

A British adventurer’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 then damaged while hauling out.

Andrew Bedwell planned to make a 1,900-mile trip from Newfoundland, Canada, to Falmouth, Cornwall, in his 3.9-foot fibreglass yacht called Big C – which would have become the smallest boat ever to cross the Atlantic.

However, the 49-year-old was forced to return to land shortly after setting off from Canada on May 28, and as they lifted the boat up, the weight of the water resulted in the framework giving way.

Bedwell, who delivers yachts around the world and works as a sailmaker, spent three years hand-building his fibreglass micro-yacht in his home garage. He 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.

He plans to make modifications and relaunch the boat and hopes to make the crossing in three months and arrive off the coast of Ireland.

Source: dailymail, yahoo news