Today’s the day that young Mike Perham is hoping to leave Gibraltar in an attempt to seize Seb Clover’s record as the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic. He is 14.

Mike, who lives in Potters Bar, north of London, will be heading towards Antigua shadowed by his Dad, Peter. They will both be sailing a Tide 28, a boat they helped design jointly with Nigel Hartley. These are beefed up trailer sailers and there has already been a note of controversy: support from the Royal Yachting Association was withdrawn recently because of the RYA’s concern that the yachts did not meet Category A classification (for ocean sailing) under the EU Recreational Craft Directive.

Having made their own modifications, the Perhams are irked but undeterred. They are hoping to complete the 3,500-mile crossing in four weeks. For more information Click here