A last-minute reminder has gone out to boaters to sail out in force on Saturday to help bolster a record-breaking charity bid.

Rod Ferguson aims to create the world?s biggest ever raft-up tomorrow linking 2,000 boats, punts, kayaks and yachts of all shapes and sizes across North Shore.

The plan is to create a line stretching half a mile from Admiralty House to Shelly Bay, and also raise more then $100,000 for good causes.

The current record of free-floating vessels in a line, which organisers believe stands at 745, is held by Americans.

Outlining the plan for Saturday, Mr. Ferguson said: ?There will be 13 core boats spaced out along the North Shore at about 7.30 a.m. Saturday. Punts, canoes and kayaks should raft up on the two ends, with runabouts next, then 20-30-inch boats, then bigger Bertrams and Tiaras, then yachts and the really large vessels near the centre.

?Hopefully, we should be able to tie on 26 boats every five minutes so that we can get in position in something less than two hours.?

The official count is due to take place at 1.30 or 2.00 p.m. with two independent witnesses on hand to tell the Guinness Book of Records exactly how many boats they counted, and to confirm that the boats were in one continuous line without gaps. Under the rules of the record, the boats have to be tied side to side and not from stern to bow.

Windy weather conditions, however, could delay the event by two weeks until July 8.

Mr. Ferguson said more than 500 people had signed up so far and he urged boat-owners to follow suit by snapping up a special cap designed just for the event. Entrants get one of the colourful hats when they pay the $50 entry fee. Money raised will be divided between three charities: PALS, the Bermuda Diabetic Association and the SPCA.

Asked if his plans were realistic, Mr. Ferguson said they were because there was a total of 6,500 boats registered in Bermuda. Organisers had been hopeful that vessels on the Island for the Newport Bermuda Race would help to boost numbers.

However, the visit of Princess Anne to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club has led to increased security and Mr. Ferguson said racing boats moored there would not be able to leave for tomorrow?s record attempt.

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 phone Mr. Ferguson on 333-4171.