Frank Kowalski's World Record Breaking Powerboat Run from Cork to Fastnet Rock & Back in Thunderchild II

10th August 2020

Thunderchild II at the Fastnet Rock and onher way to a new World Record

Frank Kowalski's Safehaven Marine in County Cork set a new World powerboat record for Cork - Fastnet Rock – Cork yesterday, averaging 44.6 knots and here the Safehaven skipper reviews his record-breaking run.

As Afloat reported earlier, Safehaven Marine set a new over 50ft class Cork to the Fastnet Rock and back UIM World powerboat record in their 23m long XSV20 ‘Thunder Child II’ in a time of 2hrs 36 minutes averaging 44.6kts, recording a maximum speed of 53kts on the run. (subject to ratification by the UIM)

Thunderchild II makes her start at Weavers Point, Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman Thunderchild II makes a start on her successful record-breaking run at Weavers Point, Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

After a recce trip to the rock the day before, and with near-perfect conditions forecast, we made the decision to have a crack at setting the record the next day. Crossing the start line off Weavers Point at the entrance to Cork Harbour at 2 pm on Sunday the 9th of August in light winds and only a long Atlantic groundswell to contend with, we set off on the first leg heading West. Arriving at the Fastnet Rock 1hrs 21 minutes later we were surprised and delighted to see a huge flotilla of 40-50 boats waiting close by the rock to watch as we passed and wave us on. Although it was a bit stressful navigating through them as we rounded the rock it was simply fabulous to see them all set chase after Thunder Child II as she headed home. Passing the Stags Rock and Kinsale Lighthouse heading East with boats coming out to watch us as she literally thundered home, (there’s some soundtrack from her quad 650hp engines) and putting up a huge rooster tail from her surface drives we crossed the finish line to another great welcome.

Thunderchild II crew: Skipper Frank Kowalski, Ciaran Monks, Carl Randalls, Mary Power & Robert Guzik

Thunder Child II ran faultlessly during the run looking after her crew of: Skipper Frank Kowalski, Ciaran Monks, Carl Randalls, Mary Power & Robert Guzik. We were kind to her engines keeping them at just 85-90% of full power throughout, only giving her the beans for the final 10miles towards the finish line running at over 50 kts.

Published in Safehaven Marine

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