Following the exciting announcement that Thunder Child II will make waves at the Southampton International Boat Show this September, here are eight fascinating facts you need to know about this extraordinary record-breaking craft before you board.
- Thunder Child II takes its name from The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells’ iconic novel, where the original “Thunder Child” is a defiant warship that charges into danger to shield civilians from destruction – a fitting reference for a vessel designed to meet force with force.
- Designed and built in East Cork, Ireland, Thunder Child II uses a military-spec composite hull with a combination of carbon fibre, Kevlar, and high-density core materials. The result is a vessel built for survivability, capable of withstanding Force 10 storms and six-metre seas without compromise.
- To the untrained eye, Thunder Child II’s helm might resemble the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, lined with an array of switches, dials, and digital systems. However, every control has its place, purpose, and logic. What looks daunting at first is, in fact, a carefully engineered command centre complete with a much-needed Nespresso machine for long-range runs.
- Thunder Child II measures just under 23 metres long with a 5.4-metre beam. Its unique hull combines a deep-V monohull forepeak with twin catamaran pontoons aft, delivering both wave-piercing ability and exceptional stability. A Hyuscraft hydrofoil lifts the hull at speed, reducing drag and improving efficiency.
- The Hyuscraft hydrofoil system elevates the hull roughly 40 centimetres at high speeds. By minimising wetted surface area, it cuts resistance and boosts fuel efficiency, resulting in a smoother, more stable ride and the ability to sustain speeds approaching 54 knots, even in challenging conditions.
- Thunder Child II currently holds multiple world records (ratified by the UIM, the International Governing Body of Powerboating Sport), including:
- Killybegs (Ireland) to Reykjavík (Iceland): 866 nautical miles covered in under 32 hours, averaging just over 30 knots.
- Circumnavigation of Malta: Approximately 55 minutes for the whole circuit.
- Monaco to Malta: Completed in about 18 hours and 52 minutes.
- Thunder Child II serves as a testbed for emerging saltwater fuel cell technology, exploring how seawater could one day power vessels as a carbon-zero energy source.
- Thunder Child II builds on the legacy of the original Thunder Child: a self-righting, deep-V monohull developed for high-speed interception and offshore endurance. Lessons learned from its design, sea trials, and record-setting missions directly shaped the evolution of Thunder Child II, carrying forward a lineage defined by performance, resilience, and innovation.
The Southampton International Boat Show is a unique opportunity to experience Thunder Child II in British waters and explore this uniquely designed craft.
Second-wave show entrance tickets are now available for a limited time and start from £24.99 each (concessions from £19.99). Children 15 and under go free with each adult.
Visit our website and follow our social channels (Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok) for all the latest show news and updates over the coming months.
