Horie casts off, hopes boat works swell

HONOLULU — Japanese sailor Kenichi Horie, who has sailed nonstop around the world and crossed the Pacific in a solar-powered boat made of recycled aluminum beer cans, embarked Sunday on his next solo voyage.

Lei-adorned Kenichi Horie stands aboard his wave-powered boat, the Suntory Mermaid II, at the Hawaii Yacht Club before departing Sunday on his voyage to Japan. AP PHOTO

Horie set sail for Japan Sunday from the Hawaii Yacht Club on what he says will be the world's longest voyage in a wave-powered boat.

The 69-year-old mariner will travel nearly 6,400 km aboard the 3-ton catamaran Suntory Mermaid II at a boat speed of up to 5 knots. The journey, which would take a diesel-powered boat about 10 days to complete, is expected to take Horie about 2 1/2 months.

"I will navigate with your support into leading winds and waves," Horie said before departing.

Horie expects to reach the Kii Channel between the cape of Hinomisaki, Wakayama Prefecture, and cape of Kamodamisaki, Tokushima Prefecture, in late May.

The 9 1/2-meter-long, 3 1/2-meter-wide boat made of recycled aluminum relies on the energy of swells to move two fins at its bow and propel it forward.

According to the press release, unique wings attached to the bow create thrust as wave currents cause them to oscillate up and down, a mechanism mimicking the movement of the fins and tails of aquatic mammals.

Horie has described his boat as sturdy and self-righting. Still, it is equipped with an engine and 10.6-meter sail mast for emergencies.

Adorned with leis, Horie waved to dozens of people who had gathered to see him off as the catamaran left Honolulu Sunday.

"So many people came to see me . . . I can leave with a very good spirit," he said through a translator.

Horie acknowledged he was a little bit scared.

Horie planned to carry rice, canned food, microwaveable meals and beer on the trip. Solar panels on top of the catamaran will allow him to power a microwave.

He will have a satellite phone and access to e-mail. He also planned to take books to read and listen to the radio.

Ken Dota, who is promoting Horie's voyage, said the sailor hopes the shipping industry will eventually adopt the clean wave technology.