Kenichi Horie Completes Wave Powered Voyage!

Wakayama, Japan - Kenichi Horie, YachtPal and venerable sailing adventurer, has completed his wave powered voyage aboard the Suntory Mermaid II. Small waves and opposing currents slowed the journey considerably, but Kenichi struggled through, and is now the first person to have traversed the Western Pacific on a boat powered by waves.

Horie told reporters in Japan that what he wants most now is to go home, and have some home cooked meals. "The sea was so calm, and the weather was so great throughout my journey. That's why it took me so long," Kenichi Horie said of his historic voyage. The vitals are that Kenichi left Honolulu March 16th, arrived in Wakayama, Japan last night (which by our calculation makes 110 days), and covered over 3,400 nautical miles via wave power. "When waves were weak, the boat slowed down. That's the problem to be solved," Kenichi Horie told reporters from aboard the wave powered catamaran Suntory Mermaid II, now docked off the Kii Peninsula in western Japan.

We'll be talking with Kenichi in the coming days, once he's had a chance to rest and get used to being back on the terra firma.

For now, please join us in congratulating Kenichi Horie for what has been a historical if somewhat slower-than-hoped-for adventure. Omedetou, Kenichi-san!

- YC for YachtPals

For more articles and photos about Kenichi Horie, the Suntory Mermaid II wave powered boat, and the trans-pacific crossing, please visit: Wave Powered Boat Home Page (Suntory Mermaid 2)