Deep Water Page #2

---

something on a heroic scale

and was

recognized for it.

He had performed

a tremendous feat

that everybody

could see and admire.

In a sense, my father wanted

to take on that role

and take on

that persona.

This was the greatest

challenge possible.

It grabbed my father,

made him, almost compelled

him to take part.

Clare:

He asked me how I felt about it,

and I said, "Well, if you

can raise the money,

I think you

deserve it."

I didn't think he would

raise the money,

but all of a sudden the thing took on

its own momentum.

Kerr:
Many of the competitors

didn't have that long

to get a boat ready.

But Crowhurst was

starting from scratch.

Winspear:

Don chose a trimaran.

He started off

purely concentrating

on the idea that

a multi-hull was fast

and that he could win.

The idea was

he could win.

Kerr:

His head was full of ideas,

advanced technology,

what he could do "if."

This was part of his

great visionary dream, really.

Simon:
It was going to be an

innovative and advanced vessel,

equipped with all

the latest electronic devices

that would make it better,

would make it safer

and would enable him

to sail faster.

Winspear:

That was the idea. And then Don went off

to find some money.

Kerr:
Donald had tried

a number of careers,

but they had come

to nothing,

and he wanted more.

He believed

in himself.

He was inventive,

he had real brains,

he had a great deal

of charm.

...sort of blown up...

It's all right.

No, I don't mind.

He'd read avidly of these

long-distance exploits,

and he could talk

the talk.

The nearest you get to

a tranatlantic route is the southern...

All he needed was someone

to put up the money,

and he carried along

an entrepreneur, caravan-dealer...

Stanley Best.

It really was

an exciting adventure,

and I'm not an adventurous person,

so far as I'm concerned.

But it was interesting,

compelling, to join in.

Kerr:
The... the paddles of

sponsorship are enormous.

Stanley Best knew

nothing about sailing,

but as a hard-headed

businessman

he wanted a contract.

Simon:
Stanley Best made my father

sign an agreement.

If he dropped out

before the race began

or dropped out

early on in the race,

he would be forced

to buy the boat back.

In effect, my father

would be bankrupt.

The house we lived in

would have to be sold.

He was gambling

everything.

He had staked everything

on being successful

in the race.

Everything

depended on it.

Swinton:

As the construction of Crowhurst's

revolutionary boat began,

his rivals, one by one,

were setting sail.

With the prize

for the fastest voyage

as well as

the first man home,

the men were free

to leave at any time,

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes