Ken - ichi Horie , a 69 class old Japanese sailor , is project a solo 4,350 mile trip from Hawaii to Japan using the most advanced undulation power boat on the major planet . If successful , the trip would gain him a Guinness criminal record while at the same time examine the viability of wave powered propulsion . His boat , the Suntory Mermaid II , turns wave energy into thrust using two fin mount beneath the bow . These fins move up and down with the waves and use them to render “ kicks ” that prompt the boat forward .
The problem is that all of that Modern fangled engineering will only manage to scrape together a top speed of 5 knots . Therefore , it will take about three month to attain what a diesel powered gravy boat can achieve in only one . Plus , all of the radio receiver and electrical equipment are solar powered . Sounds pretty dangerous , but this is the same dude that made a solo misstep across the Pacific in 1999 on a catamaran made from recycled beer barrels . In other words , he ’s a rugged dude . [ Popsci ]
BoatDangerousSailing
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