Would you cross an ocean in this?

Andrew Bedwell is preparing a world record attempt to cross the Atlantic in a 3ft 10in boat Ali Wood meets him at Southampton Boat Show

What inspired you to attempt this world record?

I’ve always dreamed of breaking the world record for the smallest vessel to cross the Atlantic. Big C is just over a metre long, and the current record is held by US sailor Hugo Vihlen, whose boat Father’s Day was 5ft 4in. The plan is to do exactly the same route as he did, from St John’s Newfoundland back to the UK.

Have you done this before?

I took a 21ft Mini Transat up into the Arctic – it was a prototype with a canting keel – around Iceland towards Greenland, through Denmark Strait, and back home to the UK. I raised money for my daughter’s school. Now I’ve gone for a bigger project but in a smaller boat.

Why microyachting?

I love the simplicity of microyachting. I like the unusual side of life; sleeping in my van or on the mountainside in bivvy bags with my 9-year-old daughter. I don’t need luxuries, and this boat obviously hasn’t got any of those.

What does your daughter think of your voyage?

She thinks it’s just a brave thing to do. She’s drawn pictures on my boat. I’d like the challenge to show her that she should be able to get out and do things. If you don’t go for it, you’ll never know what could have been. It might not work but we’re going to go as far as we can.

Why twin headsails?

It’s not typical, but there’s no room for a mainsail on here, and the boat is designed to sail dead downwind. It’s tried and tested. We’ve got a spare sail if we need it, but it’s a simple system and not a lot can go wrong.