Longest journey by wave-powered boat

Between 16 March and 4 July 2008, environmentally minded explorer Kenichi Horie (Japan) embarked on a 110-day voyage from Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, to Hinomisaki, Wakayama, Japan, aboard the catamaran Suntory Mermaid II, which generates propulsion via wave movements. In total, Horie covered a distance of 3,702 nautical miles (6,856 km; 4,260 mi). This was the Suntory Mermaid II’s maiden voyage.

The Suntory Mermaid II measures 9.5 m (31 ft) long and the hulls are made from lightweight recycled aluminium. Thrust is generated by two specially designed fins at the front of the vessel that move with the pitching of the waves, propelling the boat forward in the same way a whale’s tail does. The technology was developed by Professor Hiroshi Terao of Tokai University in Japan. Rounding off the vessel’s eco credentials, electronics on board (eg navigation light, satellite phone etc) were powered by solar cells.

This isn’t the first record-setting Pacific crossing made by the veteran Japanese maritime explorer. In 1996, he traversed the ocean in the solar-powered vessel Malt's Mermaid, which was fitted with 130 sq ft of solar panels. Travelling between Salinas, Ecuador, to Tokyo, Japan, in 148 days between 20 March and 5 August 1996, this represents the fastest Pacific crossing by solar power.

Horie also holds the record for the longest pedal-boat journey, covering 7,500 km (4,660 miles) between Honolulu, Hawaii, USA and Naha, Okinawa, Japan, from 30 October 1992 to 17 February 1993.

Most recently, Horie (b. 8 September 1938) became the oldest person to sail non stop across the Pacific, travelling from San Francisco, California, USA, to Cape Hinomisaki, Wakayama, Japan, on board Suntory Mermaid III between 26 March and 4 June 2022 (JST). He departed at the age of 83 years 199 days and reached his destination aged 83 years 269 days.