Wave Powered Boat - Blog

I've been sailing smoothly with an average speed of 3 kn. for the last 48 hours.
I can feel the trade winds blowing from behind and passing through the cabin. This is pleasant.

I've been sailing smoothly with an average speed of 3 kn. for the last 48 hours.
I can feel the trade winds blowing from behind and passing through the cabin. This is pleasant.

April 5, 10:00 am (JST)
Lat: 23°20'N
Long: 175°29'W
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 3 E
Speed: 2.7 kn

I am sailing comfortably with stable winds and waves.
It has been 37 days since departing from Kansai Airport for this voyage.
I never had a nice haircut for a while. My hair has gotten long.
I will be passing another degree of longitude in 3 to 4 days.
Until then, I will be relieved.

April 6, 10:00 am (JST)
Lat: 23°25'N
Long: 176°35'W
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 2-3 E
Speed: 2.5 kn

I've been sailing smoothly.
I had my beef boiled with soy sauce, sugar and ginger yesterday. I used to bring canned food in my past journey, but, I brought frozen food this time.
Using a microwave oven, I can get a delicious hot meal.
Another spectacular rainbow appeared. What a relief in an instant.

April 7, 11:30 am (JST)
Lat: 23°28'N
Long: 177°34'W
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 2 E
Speed: 2 kn

April 8

In a couple of days I will be passing the International Date Line, a line which offsets the date. By the 10th, I suppose I have already surpassed that line. I will give myself a nice haircut as soon as I have crossed the east line of the longitude. With me are 4 scissors which I bought from 100-Yen shop, unfortunately, these scissors are not for haircutting. But, I'm sure I can still manage!

Lat:     23°32'N
Long:     178°20'W
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 2 E
Speed:     2 kn

April 9

Fruits I brought in from Hawaii:
13 pcs. of red apples
5 pcs. of green apples
5 pcs. of grapefruits
I've been consuming this everyday. I just hope it will last for another ten days.
Things are going smoothly. I'll be entering the boundaries of time zone in a while.

Lat:     23°34'N
Long:     179°05'W
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 1-2 E
Speed:     1.9 kn

April 10
Crossing the International Date Line

Today, at 12:11 in the afternoon (Japan time), I have crossed International Date Line. Things are running as planned since starting my voyage in Hawaii. I never had any trouble since then.
The fact that I have crossed the time zone boundary means I have sailed 1/3 of my voyage. I might not have the same pace for the next 2/3 of my voyage. And shellfishes start to gather on the front side of my boat.
Today, by traveling the east and crossing the west I have experienced two dates (9th and 10th) in a day.
I basically had a can of beer a day but, I had two this time.
"The Premuim" (beer brand) Kampai!(Cheers!) Kampai!(Cheers!)

Lat:     23°39'N
Long:     180°00'W
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 2-3 E
Speed:     2.1 kn

April 11

I'm about 100km away from the International Date Line.
I had my rice cake today.
Thinking that it will be alright using the microwave oven and set the time more than necessary, I've melted it down.
By starting over, I had two packs of 50g and it was good.

Lat: 23°42'N
Long: 178°56'E
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 3 E
Speed: 2.7 kn

April 12

I gave myself a nice hair cut and shampoo.
I used the sunlight instead of driers to dry my wet body while the trade wind blows. Sure, I'm totally naked but I felt really good!

Lat: 23°45'N
Long: 177°44'E
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 3 E
Speed: 2.4 kn

April 13

The waves are about 2.5m to 3m high. My sailing is on the right track.
I am now having apples. I still have six of those left.
Although I have gone to sea for almost a month now, they are still fresh.

Lat: 23°48'N
Long: 176°35'E
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 3-4 E
Speed: 2.5 kn

April 14

I haven't clearly received a Japanese-speaking broadcast from Hawaii for quite sometime until last night.
In a few more days, I believe I will be receiving signals from Japan. Can't wait to hear Japanese professional baseball game!

Since April came, I haven't seen a single airplane or even a bird flying. I felt sad and lonely.
Yesterday and the other day, I was able to communicate with different people through the radio (receiver).
This is where I get my energy. Thank you!

Lat: 23°46'N
Long: 175°19'E
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 3 E
Speed: 2.3 kn

April 15

Last night, I found out that I can already receive medium-wave broadcasting from Japan. I can clearly receive non-government broadcasting from Nagoya and Tokyo, from this day onwards I can hear baseball night games.
I have this can opener that I bought in Hawaii for $10. This is far off better than any other because with this I can open a 4-corner tin easily.

I tried the grilled eel in can, heat it in my microwave oven and in an instant I had this hot meal on my table. "Good!"

Lat:     23°44'N
Long:     174°11'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 3-4 E
Speed:     2.3 kn

April 16

Thirty days has passed since leaving the port of Hawaii.
Food supply will last for another 100 days after checking. The French bread I bought in Hawaii has grown its mold and went stale. I have thrown it away.
I don't see fishes jumping in my boat lately. But I will be glad to see one with huge eyes.

Lat:     23°45'N
Long:     173°05'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 3-4 E
Speed:     2.3 kn

April 17

It's cloudy sky after a long while. Squalls come from time to time.
One month has passed since starting my voyage. I already gave up those perishable goods I got from Hawaii.
I'm now having frozen and canned goods.

Lat:     23°41'N
Long:     172°12'E
Weather:     Cloudy
Wind     Beaufort Force 3-4 E
Speed:     2.3 kn

April 18

I am sailing smoothly.
The weather is clear. Using a scrub towel I washed my body with seawater.
I felt refreshed.

Lat:     23°46'N
Long:     175°19'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 3 E
Speed:     2.3 kn

April 19

I was able to communicate with the Radio Amateur Society of Culture and Science Museum for children in Hiroshima City. The organization is consists of 20 to 30 primary and secondary students but today, around 50 people gathered including their parents. The conversation started 10:30 in the morning with 11 radio amateurs and technicians.

"Which baseball team do you like the most?", "Have you ever been bumped with another boat?" The young and energetic voices surfaced to my receiver. I enjoyed the 40-minute conversation with the kids.
This organization was founded 30 years ago. I've heard that they have already contacted the International Space Station a couple of years ago and the Showa Base in Antarctic a year ago.
I just wish kids nowadays will increase their interests to radio communications.

Lat:     23°42'N
Long:     170°27'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 2 E
Speed:     1.6 kn

April 20

I am sailing smoothly.

The speed is decelerating. I need 20 to 30% more to increase my speed.
The current and propeller don't probably go well with the waves and it must be affecting the speed.

Lat:     23°41'N
Long:     169°46'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 3 E
Speed:     1.5 kn

April 21

My boat is advancing slowly for the last 3 days. Since the weather is calm, I guess I won't be making any progress for the time being.

I was wondering, do having squalls help increase the speed of my boat?

Lat:     23°40'N
Long:     169°07'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 2 E
Speed:     1.5 kn

April 22

I am sailing smoothly.
While the wind is gentle and weak, the temperature in the cabin reached 31°Celsius. This is hot!
Today, I had "Nyumen"(Japanese noodle made of flour) for my lunch. It gets hotter all the more!

Lat: 23°40'N
Long: 168°28'E
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 2 E
Speed: 1.5 kn

April 23

The wind blew from the south, my boat moves towards north.
Although, I can't move in as fast as I can I'm moving pretty smooth.
Today, the wind is warm and gentle. I took a bath using seawater.
When the wind blows and touches my body, I feel much better.

Lat: 23°44'N
Long: 167°54'E
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 1 E
Speed: 1 kn

April 24

Warm winds continue to blow from the south. I was thinking that sooner or later the wind will blow from the Northeast.
A bird came and visited this morning, it's 1:00 in the afternoon in Japan but the bird is still in my boat resting his wings. Thinking that the bird is hungry for food, I gave "castella"(sponge cake) but he never touched it at all. He must be asking for fish!

Lat: 23°48'N
Long: 167°16'E
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 1-2 E
Speed: 1.4 kn

April 25

Although I am receiving wind diagonally coming from ahead, I am still moving.
The wind is shaking all around. I expect that it will soon be coming from the East. This is a test of patience for a while.
Since the cabin was made with a few windows, wind coming from the south can't pass through. Temperature inside is 36°Celsius, this is hot and terrible.
I filled the bucket with seawater and plunge my feet. This is refreshing.

Lat: 23°58'N
Long: 166°41'E
Weather: Sunny
Wind Beaufort Force 1-2 E
Speed: 1.3 kn

April 26

The wind keeps coming from ahead. Despite of that, I was able to move 50kms yesterday. Last night, squall passed. The lightning struck and in a split second it lit my solar battery lamp. That doesn't matter much.

Lat:     23°56'N
Long:     166°12'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 1-2 E
Speed:     1.3 kn

April 27

The wind never passes the cabin as always. Temperature reaches 36°Celsius.
The door of the cabin can't move wider than 45°angle. I was thinking if I can do something with the wind blowing from the right side of my direction.
Temperature falls when the sun sets. This morning, the temperature was about 25°Celsius.
I had no problem sleeping.

Lat:     23°45'N
Long:     165°47'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 1-2 NNW
Speed:     1.0 kn
 

There was almost no wind blowing this morning.
After a while, wind from the east started to blow. I will be glad if this will continue.
I have about 2 to 3 mm wound to my thumb.
I will be in trouble if this wound festers, so I treated it using band-aid. The big difference about this voyage, is that I was injured for the first time because I have no rope-work.

Lat:     23°40'N
Long:     165°16'E
Weather:     Sunny
Wind     Beaufort Force 2 NE
Speed:     1.6 kn

April 29

Lat: 23°41'N Long: 164°35'E Weather: Sunny Wind Beaufort Force 2 NE Speed: 1.7 kn

The wind from the Northeast seems stable since yesterday. How I wish this will continue for a while.
The speed will increase, if the wind will get a bit stronger.
I have surpassed the 165°degrees east longitude. The only time difference from Japan is 2 hours.

April 30

Lat: 23°43'N Long: 163°37'E Weather: Sunny Wind Beaufort Force 3 E Speed: 2.2 kn

Because I might be in trouble if my stocks of fresh natural water will run out, I use seawater everytime I brush and rinse my teeth. The taste was awful and unpleasant. I think I am gonna change my mind.

I am so impressed by your bravery and commitment to your adventures. Not only have you made a facinating invention but, you have been a remarkaeable sailor. I sit with my three children admiring your work. Someday I wish to sail to Japan and meet you and get your autograph. I plan to watch your movie and read your book.

Sailing vicariously through you,
John Isaacson