About the Atlantic Dinghy Project
Ambitions
Discover the vision and some inspirations driving the first solo, non-stop dinghy crossing from Scotland to Iceland in 2026.
Ambitions for the Atlantic Dinghy Project
Introduction
I’m Jason Allardyce, and the Atlantic Dinghy project is my bold attempt to become the first to sail a dinghy solo, non-stop from Scotland to Iceland, covering 700 nautical miles in under 14 days. Set for August 2026, this challenge is inspired by many epic maritime feats.
As a boy, I was captivated by Ernest Shackleton’s 1916 voyage in the James Caird, navigating 800 miles of the Southern Ocean to save his crew (Shackleton's Boat Journey). Frank Dye’s sail to Iceland in a Mk1 Wayfarer in the 1960s showed what a small boat could do. More recently, Will Hodshon and Rich Mitchell’s 2019 record—circumnavigating mainland Britain non-stop in their 16ft Wayfarer dinghy, Nipegegi, in 15 days and 4 hours—lit a fire in me (Nipegegi Record).
I’ve always loved boats (what kid doesn't), starting with Lego creations in the bath. My Mum and step Dad’s sailing adventures fuelled this passion. They’re still very active sailors. My Mum sails her Moody all over the world, and my step Dad is a skipper with the London Sailing Project. Sadly, they have sailed away from each other.
At seven, I began sailing through an RYA course at Bosham, getting to know Wayfarers and the very basics of sailing. I remember it took 3 or 4 of us to recover from a capsize, we were so little. In the 1970s, I joined my Mum on Westerly J24 races at Hayling Island, a 25kg “ballast” tagging along for the ride, and sailed Optimists and crewed Wayfarers and was taken out on a Contender every now and then.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, I explored France and the Channel Islands with my Mum and step Dad on a Westerly Konsort, a Southerley, and a Contessa. I led watches on 7 day Sail Training Voyages with the London Sailing Project and completed the London Boat Marathon twice. Once with my Mum and the other with my step Dad—landing on the cover of Motor Boat and Yachting magazine.
Life, raising three kids and work put sailing mostly on hold for a few decades, but the passion has never left me. This project is an opportunity to push the limits of open boat voyaging and realise a dream (Atlantic Dinghy Project).
Inspirations Driving the Project
The Atlantic Dinghy project is rooted in a rich legacy of maritime achievements that highlight the resilience and capability of small boats in extreme conditions.
Ernest Shackleton’s Open Boat Voyage
In 1916, during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, Ernest Shackleton and five crew members undertook an extraordinary survival journey. After their ship, Endurance, was crushed by ice, they were stranded on Elephant Island. Shackleton, with Frank Worsley and four others, sailed the 22.5-foot lifeboat James Caird 800 miles to South Georgia to seek rescue. Over 16 days, they battled massive swells, freezing temperatures, and navigational challenges with only a sextant and compass. Their success ensured the rescue of their entire crew (Shackleton Epic). This feat of endurance and leadership profoundly inspires the Atlantic Dinghy project, demonstrating that small boats can conquer hostile seas through resolve.
Nipegegi Round Britain Record
In 2019, British adventurers Will Hodshon and Rich Mitchell achieved a world first by circumnavigating mainland Britain non-stop and unassisted in their 60-year-old, 16ft Wayfarer dinghy, Nipegegi. Departing from Salcombe, Devon, on 15 June, they completed the 1,390-nautical-mile journey in 15 days and 4 hours, surpassing previous records. Facing gale-force winds, sleep deprivation, and navigational hazards, their success showcased the potential of dinghies for long-distance voyages. This achievement directly inspires the Atlantic Dinghy project, reinforcing the ambition to undertake a solo, non-stop crossing in a similar vessel.
Frank Dye’s Legacy
Frank Dye’s 1963 voyage from Scotland to Iceland in a 16ft Wayfarer dinghy remains a cornerstone of inspiration. His journey, completed with a crew member, proved that small open boats could tackle vast oceanic distances. Dye’s words, “Offshore cruising in an open boat can be hard, cold, wet, lonely and occasionally miserable, but it is exhilarating too,” encapsulate the spirit of adventure that drives this project (Ocean Crossing Wayfarer). The Atlantic Dinghy project aims to surpass Dye’s achievement by attempting the crossing solo and non-stop.
Ambitions
Historic Achievement
The primary ambition is to achieve a historic first: a solo, non-stop dinghy crossing from Kinlochbervie, Scotland, to Heimaey, Iceland, covering 700 nautical miles in under 14 days. This feat will mark a significant milestone in open boat voyaging, surpassing previous achievements by its solo nature and direct route. The project seeks to honour its inspirations—Shackleton, Hodshon and Mitchell, and Dye—by demonstrating that determination, skill, and preparation can overcome the North Atlantic’s challenges.
Sponsorship Goals
Securing £30,000 in sponsorship is critical to fund the voyage. Sponsors will gain global brand exposure through logos on the dinghy, sails, and gear, as well as extensive media coverage. The project offers real-time updates, high-quality photos, and videos, creating compelling marketing content. Additional benefits include employee engagement through behind-the-scenes updates, charitable partnerships to enhance corporate social responsibility, and tailored social media campaigns. Exclusive title sponsors will receive unmatched visibility, with further exposure through post-voyage documentaries and presentations. Contact for sponsorship enquiries is available via email or directly to Jason Allardyce at Brig o’ Turk, Callander, FK17 8HT.
Rigorous Training
A comprehensive one-year training programme, starting 26 August 2025, is designed to prepare for the voyage’s demands. Divided into four three-month phases, the programme ensures readiness for unpredictable conditions:
| Training Phase | Duration | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Aug–Oct 2025 | Basic sailing, cardio (30–45 min, 3–4 days/week), strength, flexibility |
| Skill Development | Nov 2025–Jan 2026 | Enhanced sailing, cardio (45–60 min, 4–5 days/week), weights, endurance |
| Advanced Training | Feb–Apr 2026 | High-intensity sailing, cardio (60 min, 5–6 days/week), long sails |
| Pre-Voyage Preparation | May–Jul 2026 | Peak fitness, long-duration workouts, final safety and navigation drills |
Daily sailing on Loch Venachar in all weather conditions will master single-handed handling. Physical fitness training escalates from moderate cardio and strength exercises to high-intensity, long-duration workouts. Technical skills include rigging, repairs, and boat maintenance, whilst navigation training covers GPS, chartplotting, VHF radio, and weather forecasting. Safety drills encompass capsize recovery, self-rescue, storm management, life raft deployment, and EPIRB activation. Mental preparation focuses on resilience, stress management, and visualisation to handle solo sailing’s isolation and challenges.
Inspirational Voyage
The core ambition is to navigate the North Atlantic solo from Kinlochbervie, Scotland, to Heimaey, Iceland, by 8 September 2026. The direct route, chosen for moderate winds and long daylight in August, presents challenges like cold seas, unpredictable weather, and physical endurance. The project aims to add another chapter in small open boats whilst inspiring others with the spirit of adventure. Comprehensive equipment, including a Wayfarer dinghy, safety gear, navigation tools, and provisions, ensures preparedness.
| Voyage Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Start Date | 26 August 2026 |
| Departure Location | Kinlochbervie, Scotland |
| Target Arrival Date | 8 September 2026 |
| Arrival Location | Heimaey, Iceland |
| Distance | 700 nautical miles |
| Duration | Under 14 days |
| Challenges | Unpredictable weather, cold seas, solo endurance |
Post-Voyage Impact
Post-voyage, the ambition is to share the journey’s story through documentaries, presentations, and media engagements. This phase aims to inspire a global audience with the spirit of adventure and provide sponsors with additional exposure through high-profile media features. By documenting the challenges and triumphs, the project seeks to cement its place in maritime history and encourage others to pursue ambitious dreams.
Conclusion
The Atlantic Dinghy project is a testament to human endurance and the pursuit of the extraordinary, inspired by Shackleton’s heroic voyage, the Nipegegi record of 15 days and 4 hours, and Frank Dye’s pioneering spirit. Through strategic sponsorship, rigorous training, and a meticulously planned voyage, the project aims to achieve a historic first whilst honouring its inspirations. The post-voyage storytelling will amplify its impact, inspiring future adventurers and rewarding sponsors with lasting visibility.