by Jonathan Morris BBC News Online South West

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The only problem is I am not a navigator and through the murk of a misty Plymouth morning, have not a clue where my driver is heading.

Gavin Parsonage, 24, has already had a first in the Honda 4-stroke series, in Plymouth this weekend.

But a spill into the English Channel at this kind of speed would be like hitting tarmac.

It is the kind of feeling that all journalists get in their lives, recording the outlandish exploits of others and getting terrified or even, God forbid, wet, in the process.

Calm before the storm as Negotiator heads out

It is my luck to be getting only wet, with a splash of terrified, as Gavin charges around the harbour in his Honda-powered Negotiator.

And I can vouch that from the boat the excitement is tangible.

What you get is 11 identical boats with 3.5 litre V6 outboard motors turning out 225hp - about four times as much as your average city runabout.

HONDA 4-STROKE Length: 8.15m Weight: 1,100kg Engine: 3.5 litre V6 cylinder 60�, SOHC Max output hp (kW): 225 (165.5)/ 5500

Easing it out of the pontoons there is only an ominous burble from the engine.

But as we exit the 5mph limited zone and with a firm stamp on the pedal from Gavin, the burble becomes a bellow as the propellers grip and send the carbon-Kevlar hull into the murk.

The Navy's destroyers, which hang out in the harbour, are thankfully on patrol elsewhere.

Negotiator gets airborne

The bow lifts and every wavelet thuds against the hull, then a bigger one and we are airborne. A bigger thud as we hit the water again and the boat appears to lurch to the left.

Gavin has his hands full with the steering wheel, trim adjusters to angle the engine and a ballast controller to shift weight to the front in big waves.

There are no seat belts - confusingly enough. For safety reasons the boats just have grab handles in case the boat flips, to allow an unobstructed exit.

As we surge towards the limit, and I grip the handle, we turn and head back, barely slowing for a carving bank towards Plymouth Hoe.

Constant communication

I know it is the Hoe because I have satellite navigation and a compass in front of me, but mainly because I can see the fortress on top heaving into view very fast.

HONDA BRITISH POWERBOAT GRAND PRIX Saturday 17 July 0930 Official practice 1145 Honda Formula 4-Stroke 150hp race 1245 Honda Formula 4-Stroke 225hp race 1345 Class 1 Pole Position Sunday 18 July 1145 Honda Formula 4-Stroke 150hp race 1230 Honda Formula 4-Stroke 225hp race 1400 Class 1 British Grand Prix

Gavin's navigator Nathan Libby, 24, who has temporarily vacated his seat for me, is in constant communication throughout races, sharing information on boat trim, power and of course, direction.

I am a bit short of directions - the main utterance being, "wow" - as we blast back.

On the way fun mingles with fear at the feeling of lack of control.

But after four or five runs the fun overcomes the fear and I want to go round again.

Too soon, we head home and, feeling wet and ragged, I end my meeting with Negotiator.

Negotiator has notched up a first place in its first season

It is exhausting and dangerous work. Garage mechanic Nathan suffered a collapsed lung from the jolting of the boat after their win in Swansea last month.

It is also expensive, at �50,000 a boat, but luckily for Gavin he has a generous and deep-pocketed dad, Plymouth property developer Chris, who races the bigger Class 1 boats.

Gavin, who has broken a few bones in the past in motocross, is already eyeing Class 1 after a collection of good results - including the first in Swansea - which puts him fifth in the championship, in his first season of racing powerboats.

"We don't know have far we can push the boat," said Gavin, "so we are flat out most of the time."

Gavin's father Chris will be racing his Class 1 powerboat with the same name

He is also eyeing a good result on his home turf, or sea.

All eyes will be on the father and son pair as they vie for victory. For father Chris it would be his first time on top of the podium.

Gavin said: "My father has been involved in powerboat racing for some time.

"I guess I've inherited the interest and this year I decided to get involved myself, so I bought Negotiator and a week later found myself lining up for round one in Guernsey.

"Standing on top of the podium in Swansea was an amazing experience, especially after such a gruelling race - it was really rough and there were some pretty hairy moments.

"Some rough water in Plymouth could work in our favour again, but I'd like to think we can do well whatever the conditions.