Earthrace

Earthrace is a 78 foot alternative fuel powered wave-piercing trimaran; part of a project to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat—and to do so using only renewable fuels.

The boat's engines are powered completely by a biodiesel fuel source. This fuel is derived mainly from animal fat, soybeans, or other forms of biodiesel fuel. The powerboat itself is a 78-foot dramatic-looking wave-piercing trimaran, designed by Craig Loomes Design Group Ltd, with two 540 hp Cummins Mercruiser diesel engines, fueled with 100% Biodiesel, and is made mostly of carbon composite. It cost $2.5 million, which was mostly funded by generous sponsors. When asked, "Regrets about the cost of it all?" skipper Pete Bethune replied "No...You know, I do have the coolest boat in the world."

Earthrace is intended to showcase environmentally friendly technologies such as biodiesel, low-emission engines, non-toxic antifouling paint and efficient hull design. It aims to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat using only renewable fuels. The current record of 74 days, 20 hours, 58 minutes was set by British boat "Cable & Wireless" in 1998.