The 75-year-old former University of Otago physiotherapist hopes to hoist the sails on his new purpose-built yacht, Kiwi Spirit, next month when its construction is completed at Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding Co in Maine, the United States.
Dr Paris plans to become the oldest person to solo-circumnavigate the planet from Bermuda, back to Bermuda, in less than 150 days.
Dr Paris had Kiwi Spirit specially designed by New Zealander Bruce Farr, because he believed otherwise it would be impossible for a man in his 70s to mount a successful challenge. Using his experience in physical therapy and issues related to safety and ergonomics, Dr Paris developed an owner's brief that defined comfort, safety and ease of handling.
The result is a 19.2m-long, 25.6m-high vessel, with a retractable bowsprit, lithium ion phosphate batteries, wind, solar and water regeneration, three comfortable cabins and an all-electric galley.
It would be an environmentally friendly boat, which would circumnavigate the globe with no gas, diesel, propane or butane engine or generator, he said.
The journey is dangerous, but Dr Paris is no stranger to endurance adventures. He has completed the world championship ironman triathlon in Hawaii and has twice swum the English Channel.
He has lived in Florida for the past four years, where he founded the University of St Augustine.
