Father and son team smash world record (From Boating Cornwall)
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Father and son team smash world record
9:27am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News
The Scorpion RIB 'Hot Lemon' used by father-and-son team Mike and Dave Deacon
After 20 years of racing and numerous records, father-and-son team Mike and Dave Deacon are celebrating after setting a new world and national record for the fastest time from Poole to Cherbourg.
The pair completed the journey in just 67 minutes and 23 seconds in their rigid inflatable (RIB) "Hot Lemon."
She is a Scorpion RIB powered by two Yanmar 315hp Diesel engines consuming around 900 litres of fuel over the 149 mile course.
Whilst Hot Lemon was being prepped for the attempt, David Fairchild, WP Group’s managing director, added 10 gallons of the fuel additive Soltron to the tank as a good will, also to prove that it will increase fuel efficiency and engine performance.
On September 30 2011 at 10.42am, Dave and Mike set off from Poole Harbour at full speed.
The conditions started off great with cold air and calm waters for approximately 15 miles out from the harbour.
Once further out Dave and Mike were faced with swells of up to two metres, which lasted for approximately 20 miles of their cross-channel challenge.
Luckily both are experienced sailors, with Mike even going as far as saying he enjoys the harsher weather and finds it makes the ride more thrilling.
He said: "Due to the sea conditions we would have normally slowed down to reduce the risk of any damage, but we found that Hot Lemon was performing just as well in the rougher conditions, which although anecdotal we feel could be as a result of using the additive Soltron."
The Deacon’s objective was to complete the race in 75 minutes from start to finish, based upon their experience and knowledge of the course.
With great delight they smashed their goal by six minutes.
Mike said: "the weather conditions, the fuel and the Soltron together had an amazing contribution to us breaking our target time.
"She ran smoother and obviously a lot quicker than she would have running on normal fuel without additive."
