Catamaran reaches Japan by waves

Posted on July 09^th 2008

A Japanese sailor has just completed a three and a half month trip from Honolulu to Japan on his wave powered catamaran.

Kenichi Horie set off on his 3,800 nautical mile journey on March 16th and became the first person to cross an ocean on a vessel powered solely by wave power.

His catamaran, Suntory Mermaid II, was specially designed with two unique fins at the front that moved like a dolphin’s tail as the boat rose and fell with the rhythm of the waves.

He was expecting to make a speed of three knots, however he averaged 1.5 knots in his double hulled boat made partly of recycled material.

Other news stories

• Skipper jailed for neglect at sea
• Kidnapped family held by pirates
• A 73 year old German Skipper feared dead
• RNLI hero’s boat to be restored
• Bad conditions of waterways
• Much loved boat celebrates 200th birthday
• A century of SOS
• Record rise in the price for fuel
• South Wales Annual Boat Show opens today
• Latest safety device is looked to save lives
• Living the dream for grandma
• London boat show wins award
• 8 hours faster world record
• Boat tour Thumbs up