An ambitious bid to blow a boating world record out of the water and bring it sailing over to Bermuda from the States, has been unveiled by a charity fundraiser.

Rod Ferguson wants to create the world?s biggest ever raft-up by linking a staggering 2,000 boats, punts, kayaks and yachts of all shapes and sizes across the North Shore in a spectacular line stretching half a mile from Admiralty House to Shelly Bay.

The current record of free-floating vessels in a line, which organisers believe stands at 745, is held by Americans. That remarkable feat happened on a lake in North Carolina.

But Mr. Ferguson is confident Bermuda can etch its name in the world famous Guinness Book of Records this summer with the cavalcade of crafts, while possibly raising more than $100,000 for good causes in the process.

?I?ve always boated a lot and when I go to sailing events I?m always amazed how many boats there are,? said the Gorham?s chairman.

?People who have boats like to raft up and this is going to be fun. It will be a really spectacular sight.?

Talks have already been held with marine officials and boat owners to ensure the ocean is clear of wave-making fast ferries, freighters and cruise ships for the big day, planned for Saturday June 24.

And Mr. Ferguson called on boat-owners to sign up for the record-breaking attempt by snapping up a special cap designed just for the event.

Participants will get one of the colourful hats when they pay the $50 entry fee, and the money raised will be split between three charities: PALS, the Bermuda Diabetic Association and the SPCA.

Mr. Ferguson said the boating brainwave emerged when his wife Martha, a volunteer with PALS, was thinking of new ways to raise funds.

?They are forever figuring out new ways to raise money,? said the owner of five boats, all of which are due to take part in the challenge. ?The idea of the world?s largest raft-up came up and she came back from a meeting and said, they want to do it.

?She?s been wanting to do it for three years and I thought it sounded like fun.?

Under the rules of the record, the boats have to be tied side to side and not from stern to bow.

On the big day, the plan is to send 15 powerful boats out to certain sections of the line, allowing smaller boats to effectively fill the gaps.

And Mr. Ferguson, who is hoping a Guinness official will be able to jet over to the Island to cover the event, is keeping his fingers crossed the wind blows a certain way and helps book Bermuda?s place in the record books.

?I?m hoping that the wind will come from the south or southwest,? he stated. ?So the Island protects the line of boats and it is not broken up.?

There are 6,500 registered boats in Bermuda, although organisers are hopeful that the Newport Bermuda Race ? when more than 200 craft sail into the country ? will help to boost numbers.

To qualify for the event, vessels need to have an official Department of Marine and Ports? sticker on display. And one person per boat needs to buy a Raft-Up cap.

Anyone interested can register at Frameworks on Gorham Road, Hamilton, call the shop on 295-1514 or call Mr. Ferguson on 333-4171.