Owner Christian Beck has likened his supermaxi LawConnect to a crappy car in the face of Sydney to Hobart heavyweight Andoo Comanche.
But stormy weather forecast for the bluewater classic has left Beck optimistic his "s***box" could finally snap its run of second-placed finishes and claim a line honours victory.
One of the world's most powerful monohull yachts, defending line honours champion Comanche again enters the race as the favourite to reach Hobart first among the four 100ft supermaxis.
Storms are expected for the first two days of the race and will make tactics, and the work of on-board navigators, all the more critical.
The always frank Beck was pessimistic of his boat's chances unless Comanche slipped up in the rough weather.
"Our problem is, compared to Comanche, our boat's a s***box," he said.
"So our only real chance is if Comanche makes a big mistake.
"Although, these weather conditions do perhaps make mistakes a little bit more likely so we're somewhat happy with the forecast."
LawConnect has placed second for line honours at the last three Hobarts, last winning the race in 2016 - the year before Beck bought her.
A crew featuring globetrotting veteran Tony Mutter, ex-Olympian Chris Nicholson and 28-time Hobart sailor Brad Kellett has given Beck confidence the boat could go one better this year.
"That's not me but the rest of the crew is awesome," he said.
"They did really well to win the Big Boat (Challenge). That's what will make or break us, really."
Beck, a new father, quipped that looking after a baby had been good preparation for the 628 nautical mile race to Hobart.
"I've been into the sleeping pattern of the race by looking after the baby at night so I'm actually OK," he said.
"I'll probably get more sleep on the boat than I do at home."
