Almost 20 years after Ken Gourlay's solo around-the-world sailing record, his son is hoping to steal it

On the banks of Launceston's Tamar River, Tristan Gourlay is preparing for a journey almost 20 years in the making.

In the autumn of 2007, he watched in awe as his father Ken became the fastest Australian to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.

The successful circumnavigation took 179 days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 58 seconds.

"I will admit, I was a little bit jealous when he was doing it," says Tristan.

"I see it as one of the pinnacles of sailing."

On the dock at Devonport in 2007 when his father returned home victorious, a younger Tristan was already flagging with ABC News that he wanted to attempt the feat.

"As they say, like father like son," he said in 2007.

"But I'll probably [have] a little bit bigger boat, a little bit faster and with a little bit more knowledge that Dad's gained now."

Later this week, the now 46-year-old and his 16.4-metre yacht, Blue Moon II, will leave Tasmania before riding the roaring forties to New Zealand, and beyond towards South America's notorious Cape Horn.

He hopes to return to Hobart in early April next year, having broken Ken's longstanding record.

Tristan has competed in some of the world's toughest sailing events, including the Sydney to Hobart and the Melbourne Osaka Cup alongside his dad.

But he said the "sheer length of time" at sea made his upcoming challenge the most daunting to date.

He has been more than happy to take on board some fatherly advice.

Willpower the key

Ken Gourlay was already a stalwart of Tasmanian sailing before he departed for his record-breaking feat in November 2006.

When he returned about six months later — in a boat he had built himself — his name had become legendary.

He used his 22,000 nautical mile journey to raise money for medical research, and was later named Tasmania's Australian of the Year.

Reflecting on his experience, he said it was largely a battle of mind over matter.

"The most important thing — and I'm sure Tristan's got it — is the absolute wish to do it," he said.

"Tristan can certainly sail the course … he has the skills, he has the ability … and I believe he's got that wish to do it, which will carry him through the harder, lonelier times."

He said maintaining contact with loved ones was important.

As his family gathered on Christmas Day in 2006, Ken was busy navigating waters off Cape Horn at the bottom of South America.

"I got the phone out and rang home … it was great to talk to everybody on Christmas Day from Cape Horn," he said.

A large crowd was on hand when he sailed into the Mersey River in Devonport on May 5, 2007.

Ken fully backed Tristan to break his record while downplaying any father-son rivalry.

"People have said, how do you feel if Tristan does take your record off you?" he said.

Final preparations

Blue Moon II is being loaded with more than 500 litres of water, fishing equipment and piles of long-life food.

There are multiple personal locator devices on board.

Tristan is also taking chocolate bars and "other little treats", to help when the going gets tough.

"Mum's looked after me," Tristan said.

"Sometimes you do just need something to keep going for another hour or two."

On previous journeys, when the weather has been "blustering away", he has found solace in cranking classical music through the cabin.

"You're flat out and just that classical, soothing music puts a whole new spin on the scene," he said.

Weather dependent, Tristan will officially begin his circumnavigation attempt from Hobart later this week.

He said he had been trying his best to keep the nerves at bay.

"I think I'm handling it reasonably well," he said.

The broader sailing community is throwing its support behind the Tasmanian.

"The Gourlays definitely like to take on the extreme side of sailing and obviously thrive on the challenge of pushing themselves to the limit," said Australian Sailing's Tasmania manager Felicity Allison.

"I am sure that Tristan is just as passionate and determined as his father."