Wave-powered Boat Journeys from Japan to Hawaii
Ken-ichi Horie's travelled 7400km on a three-ton wave-powered boat.
Made from recycled aluminum alloy, the Suntory Mermaid II catamaran generated a “push-like” power to propel the boast forward.
The boat has two adjacent fins beneath the bow, which moved up and down with the waves. They generated thrust, absorbed the energy of the waves and gave the vessel stability and energy.
The Suntory Mermaid II is an eco-sailor's dream: electricity comes from eight solar panels that produce 560 watts (for the navigation lights) and it has a satellite phone, a PC and navigation light.
Small waves and opposing currents slowed the journey considerably, but Kenichi persevered and is now the first person to have traversed the Western Pacific on a boat powered by waves.
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