Thunder Child II, the Safehaven Marine XSV20 that holds nine world records and has reached 54 knots, is listed for sale. The 23-metre wave-piercing catamaran is currently moored in Jersey and is being offered through MyOcean, the London, Dubai and French Riviera-based yacht sales and charter broker.
The vessel was built by Safehaven Marine – the Cork-based yard that has established a reputation for extreme-performance and military-specification craft – and represents the XSV20’s capabilities at their most thoroughly proven. Thunder Child II has not simply been built for speed; she has been tested across some of the most demanding waters in the northern hemisphere.
The Record
The nine world records span routes and conditions that cover the breadth of the North Atlantic. The Cork to Fastnet Rock and return was completed in 2 hours 36 minutes 31 seconds. The Rockall record – a 150 nautical mile circumnavigation via one of the most remote and exposed rocks in the Atlantic – was set at an average speed of 43 knots, completed in 3 hours 45 minutes. The Malta and Gozo circumnavigation stands as a provisional UIM record at 1 hour 16 minutes.
Beyond speed records, Thunder Child II has completed a voyage to the Arctic Circle, navigating icebergs and extreme weather conditions – a test of the hull’s structural integrity as much as its performance.
Specification
Power comes from four Caterpillar C8.7 diesel engines producing a combined 2,564 horsepower, driving surface drives with razor-sharp propellers. The hull incorporates an integrated hydrofoil system between the two hulls which lifts clear of the water at speed, reducing drag and improving efficiency at high speed. Classification is CE-A Offshore.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Builder | Safehaven Marine |
| Model | XSV20 |
| Length overall | 23 m (75 ft) |
| Beam | 5.2 m (17 ft) |
| Displacement | 24,000 kg |
| Engines | 4 x Caterpillar C8.7 |
| Total power | 2,564 hp |
| Maximum speed | 54 knots |
| Cruising speed | 35-40 knots |
| Range | 750-800 nautical miles |
| Fuel capacity | 11,000 litres |
| Crew | 6-10 persons |
| Classification | CE-A Offshore |
| Current location | Jersey, Channel Islands |
Location and Sale
Thunder Child II is moored in Jersey, which the brochure describes as providing strategic access to the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and northern European waters – three to four days to the Mediterranean at cruising speed, two days to Iceland at pace. She is fully maintained and provisioned, ready for immediate deployment.
The listing is handled by Lewis Horne at MyOcean. Enquiries can be directed to my-ocean.com.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
