THE SMALLEST BOAT TO SAIL AROUND THE WORLD

The Epic Voyage of Acrohc Australis.

Bonus interview with the author following his article—eds

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Article by Ryan Langley

Visit Serge’s website here

On June 9, 1984, Serge Testa, a quiet 34-year-old shipwright with limited sailing experience, departed Brisbane, Australia on his tiny yellow sailboat, Acrohc Australis. His aim—to break a record that was widely considered suicidal, and for good reason. Of the past four sailors to attempt the voyage, two gave up after their boats were wrecked in the Pacific and the other two died at sea.

Serge was planning on circumnavigating the world—but not on any ordinary vessel. Acrohc Australis was designed specifically to break the record for the smallest boat ever to sail around the world. In total, the tiny yacht measured less than 12 feet in length.

Many would be quick to label Serge a madman seeking notoriety and fame and his own family thought his voyage was suicidal. In a world dominated by luxury yachts and multi-million dollar race boats, it’s hard to imagine any significant world record being challenged by a novice sailor on a home built boat. But three years later, Serge proved the naysayers wrong when he returned to Brisbane Harbor to a hero’s welcome. His record still stands today.