Southern Isles Challenge
A new powered craft World Record was set 20 July 06. The Southern Isles
Challenge Cup is a new record attempt to circumnavigate all the islands south of mainland Britain in the fastest time using the least amount of fuel. The record was set by Matthew Sillifant of Boat Mapping Ltd and his co-pilot Mike Connor of MRL in a Stingher RIB using a pair of the latest Suzuki 175 hp 4-stroke outboards.

The challenge has not been an easy record to set. Having already aborted one attempt back in June due to rough seas and fog, Matthew Sillifant and his
co-pilot once again encountered force 4-5 weather, rough squalls and high
seas. Matthew Sillifant explained 'the Southern Isles Challenge Cup is a real test of strategic planning, navigation and physical endurance, and essentially its a balance between speed and fuel consumption. You have to combine all these elements and then pray the weather holds out to even stand a chance of completing the course. We are thrilled to set this record, a lot of hard work has gone into organising it, but it has all been worth while now we have completed it and I think it will be hard for others to beat'.

The inventors of the Challenge have devised a points system relating to fuel
consumption, so it is not necessarily the fastest boat that will take the
title. Matthew Sillifant explained, 'these days everyone is much more aware not only of fuel costs but also the impact on the environment and this is particularly true in the commercial maritime sector'.

Matthew Sillifant record time included 3 re-fuelling stops whilst achieving the 540-mile record voyage, using 1290 litres of fuel. The bad weather and rough sea state play its part by increasing fuel consumption as the outboards had to continually to accelerate and de-accelerate as they battled though the steep seas which had not been forecasted.

The record was achieved in a total time of 20 hours and 32 minutes. The challenge was completed with the latest Suzuki 175hp 4-stroke outboards powering the 8m Stingher RIB. Matthew Sillifant said 'the Suzuki outboards provided optimum power to weight ratio and fuel consumption, an essential quality for this unique record attempt and their performance, never missing a beat throughout, will make it a tough record to break'.

Note:
Challengers can select their own route round the Isle of Wight, Alderney,
Jersey, Guernsey and the Scilly Isles but the course must be completed within a 24-hour period. The inventors of the Challenge have devised a points system relating to fuel consumption, so it's not necessarily the fastest boat that will take the title.

Challenge Point formula = (Distance traveled x Avg Speed x Fuel consumed x Total stop time x Total time in minutes) / 100000.

Contact the RYA for further details and to register an attempt.

July 2006