When Neil McGrigor and team invited us for a spin in their awesome-looking Bladerunner 51, I was booked up. So Editor’s indulgence became Ingrid’s indulgence as she headed down to the Solent to witness the nature of the beast. Cue Miss Abery…
Three world powerboat champions have teamed up to take a bite at the proverbial cherry that is the Round Britain powerboat speed record and their weapon of choice is the Bladerunner 51. Neil McGrigor (who won the RIB World Cup gained during the 2003 Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race) is navigator and driver. But Tony Jenvey (National and European powerboat champion in 1992) together with Jeremy Watts will be doing the lion’s share of the driving.

Watts claimed 2-Litre World Championship status in 1995 and then went on to found ICE Marine and develop the Bladerunner hull. For McGrigor and Jenvey it is their second record attempt. In June 2003, together with Simon Rogers, they obliterated the record for a powerboat under 30-feet in ‘Revenger’, carving some ten hours off the previously held time.

Watts brings his sprint driving skills to the team. “What I’m used to is more like Formula 1 and what the other two do is akin to Le Mans” he commented. The outright record for any class to circumnavigate Britain stands at an already mind-boggreling30 hours and 51 minutes. A mere 1691 miles to cover then.

“Of course its doable” smiled that adrenaline hungry McGrigor as I was led into the navigators’s seat which closely resembles that of an antiquainted dentist’s chair with rather large hand grips. I was shortly to discover why.

The boat
I admired the Bladerunner 34, but this one, the Bradstone Challenger is a Bladerunner on steroids. Stepping up onto the beast the open cockpit is large enough to host a small drinks party in stark contrast to its smaller, snugger sibling.
I was a touch in awe of the adventure that will shortly take three Hampshire men around Britain in an attempt to smash the record. As we headed out into Southampton Water I asked Jeremy Watts in the driving seat to show me what this bad boy was made of. The twin 18-litre 1000hp Cat engines moved in to action, forcing the numbers on the instruments to head ferociously towards 60.
Yet the speed was deceptive, the ride solid, as this wave-piercer cut through the swells. Having spent some years being bounced around in one RIB or another taking pictures, this ride provided some serious luxury.

The hull
The Bladerunner 51 was designed by Lorne Campbell, as was its forerunner, the 34. Thirty years’ experience of designing class-winning high performance powerboats, an enviable 100 race wins and 20 World and National championships to his credit certainly made him the man for the job.

It’s an ‘Air Entrapment’ designed hull which is designed to produce a steadier ride than most. Pioneered by ICE Marine, the AEM is radically different to a conventional monohull in its dramatic twin tunnels that flare out from either side of the extremely slender twin stepped hull. They terminate in flamboyant knifelike sponsons at the sides.

This unique shape significantly softens the ride by compressing the air inside the tunnels to produce a cushioning effect. You can tell the difference very quickly. Another advantage is that the centre of lift is located much further aft than in a comparable high performance catamaran, providing a safer and more level ride in rough seas.

If any boat encapsulates the essence of fluid in motion the Bladerunner is it The twin Cat engines are surface-drive units, increasing the efficiency of the motors. “Most of the boats here use stern drives that are completely buried in the water – not very efficient” commented Watts. “We use surface drives, note the big plume coming out the back, meaning that you get 15 to 20 per cent better efficiency.”

The boat’s top speed is 72 knots (in excess of 80mph), with a range of up to 600 miles, and room for four people. “We’re going with three. There’s no point in taking too many people” imparted McGrigor. “If someone gets tired or ill they become a liability. You need three people to make it operate. So, we’re minimising the liability. Three is all you need to execute the jobs.”

The sharp keels of the sponsons cut effortlessly through the waves as we negotiated the Solent. Asked to execute a 360 degree loop around the photo boat Jeremy comfortably maintained a steady 50mph, and with a reduced wetted area the boat looked very forgiving – no chine riding, no hooking. The three keels just held as steady as we ate up the miles. You can see why they chose this boat for the record attempt.

Little wonder that the US Navy has shown an interest.The Navy’s interest? Getting their men from A to B in something steadier than a washing machine and ready to execute the job in hand upon arrival. The British Navy has extended a show of support too.

“They will be monitoring our progress. Basically, we will act as a real live target practice for them.”
‘The 51 is a Bladerunner on steroids. Suddenly 1700 miles in 30 hours doesn’t seem so unimaginable’

As for power, twin 18 litre Cat engines were chosen to help the boat average the necessary 70mph. “They were the right package for the right weight distribution and were decided on between Lorne Campbell and Jeremy Watts. We needed straight sixes to get them side by side as there’s not much room to play with and we needed 1000hp each. This was about it. Good solid diesel engines that go on at 2000 revs for 24 hours no problem.” Fuel-wise the trip will eat through 10,000 litres. With the price of fuel having gone up 40 per cent since the previous record the team will feel the pinch.

The start and finish line has been organised for the Royal Yacht Squadron line. A morning start past the needles will give the team a scheduled finish back off Cowes early the following afternoon. The progress will be tracked by Marine Track and can be followed on their website : www.roundbritainrecord.com .

“We are only having a go at it” Neil concluded. “I can’t hold the whole team together to have another go, what with all the logistics.” As I left the boat and the very affable, down to earth team I felt a twinge of envy. These men have a clear goal, a good strategy, a great piece of kit and a record to hook. With a two month window in which to slip their moorings and head west towards the Irish sea, I reckon they might just nail it…