Brit sets sail across Atlantic in one-metre long boat in hope of breaking record

A British dad has set sail from Canada in a one-metre long boat as he attempts to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the smallest ever vessel.

It may sound like a daunting feat, but Andrew Bedwell, 49, said he was feeling “quite chilled” about the about his 1,900-mile solo trip to the British Isles.

The mariner, who left St John's, Newfoundland on Saturday, spent three years hand-building his fibreglass micro-yacht – named Big C – in the garage of his home in Scarisbrick, Lancashire.

In an interview last year with Practical Boat Owner magazine, Bedwell said he'd named the boat after his friend Tom McNally, who helped him design and build the boat before dying of cancer.

Bedwell 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.

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Now, he will learn how his own vessel – which measures 3.5m tall and has a top speed of 2.5mph – will cope with the worst weather the Atlantic can throw at him.

Bedwell only needs to reach a point within 50 miles of the West of Ireland to claim the record, but he hopes to finish in Falmouth harbour in late August this year.

He expects to face at least five storms during his three-month trip - comparing it to being “stuck in a wheelie bin, on a rollercoaster for 90 days”.

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Bedwell, who wanted to take on a “big challenge” before turning 50, will survive on vitamin-based drinks and food bags made of beef jerky, raisins, and fat, which have been moulded into the walls of his cabin.

Just before setting off, Bedwell said: “I’m quite chilled. I feel good, and it’s time to go.

“Everything has pulled together exceptionally well, there’s nothing that I am apprehensive of on the vessel at all. Absolutely everything has gone to plan.

“I personally think I’ve gone over and above what I need to do for the whole trip. But you never know you could hit an iceberg.”

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The dad-of-one said he wasn’t concerned about spending months alone at sea, but said he would miss his getting cuddles from his 10-year-old daughter, Poppy.

Bedwell, who delivers yachts around the world and works as a sailmaker, has spent most of his adult life embarking on nautical adventures.

He previously sailed non-stop around Britain and has taken his small 6.5m carbon racing yacht across the Atlantic and up to the arctic circle.

“When you get into a storm, you’re then just battening it down and just hoping for the best,” he said.

"You’ve got vessels who are also in the storms, and they’re not always looking out for you. That’s probably my biggest apprehension.

"Ships still go down, but we’ve done as much as we can do to make it as bulletproof as possible.”

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Bedwell will spend most of his time at sea sitting down inside his cockpit - only being able to stand up and exercise when the weather is calm enough.

With such little opportunity to move around, he’s not sure how easy it will be to walk when he finally reaches land.

Bedwell will also carry an onboard desalinator, providing him with fresh drinking water throughout his journey, but other than that, he will have few luxuries.

"I’ll be lowering my food intake so little that I won’t be having many bowel movements, but if I do, I will be over the side,” he added.

“My one luxury item is going to be a flannel, and that’s going to do the job for everything. I’ll have one change of clothes - there’s just not enough room for more.”

Watch: British dad Andrew Bedwell sets sail from Canada in bid to set new world record