Warby aims to break his own record - ABC Online

It was October 8, 1978, when Ken Warby reached a speed of 317mph, or 511km/h, in his boat Spirit of Australia on Blowering Dam near Tumut, NSW.

One of the reasons the record has stood for so long is that it's a highly dangerous prospect trying to break it, in fact it has an 85% fatality rate.

But now Ken, based in Cincinnati USA, and his son David, who lives at Charlestown, are ready to have a go at setting a new record, as they told Philip Clark from 1233 ABC Newcastle Mornings. (listen to attached audio)

"For some time now my son has been chewing at me to have a go at the old man's record," Ken says.

He says David is an experienced boat builder and racer in his own right, so they decided "maybe it's time".

Ken bought a couple of Rolls Royce jet engines from Italy, some timber, and they were away.

Considering the pair built the record-breaking Spirit of Australia in the family backyard with a few power tools, it's not as crazy as it sounds.

"I make flying visits to Merewether from the USA a number of times a year and we hammer away in our workshop," Ken says.

David points out that although his father made breaking the record look easy, a lot of technical work goes on behind the scenes.

"The boat we're building now is more than capable of breaking the record," he says, but concedes "it's dangerous".

"The trick is to build a boat that won't bump and won't get the wind underneath it and sticks on the water," Ken explains.

He says footage of Spirit of Australia shows the nose never lifted at all.

The new record attempt will happen in the same place, Blowering Dam, and the Warbys say they don't want glassy conditions but rather a slight chop to reduce drag.

Some of the differences this time around will be more power, a lighter engine and more safety equipment on board.

As for when the attempt will happen, the pair expect to finish the boat late next year, so are aiming towards early 2015.

David says his father's achievements are his inspiration.

"When you see your father take on the world and beat it, it's inspiring and that's where I get my urge to do it from."