Pacific crossing

Press, 7 August 1985, Page 11

Pacific crossing

NZPA-AP Tokyo A Japanese, Kenichi Horie. became the first man to cross the Pacific alone in a solar-powered boat yesterday when he arrived in Chichijima in Japan’s Bonin Islands, said a Chichijima City Government office official. The official. Kyosuke Sato, said Horie came alongside the island's Aoto Ganpeki Quay at 4 p.m.. 75 days and about seven hours after he left Hawaii’s Waikiki Yacht Club aboard his 9 metre Sikrinerk. The boat, powered only by the sun’s energy, did not stop anywhere on its 5954 km journey to Chichijima, about 1126 km south of Tokyo. Mr Sato said he had not talked with the sailor, aged 46, but he looked “all right” when he was greeted by his wife and island people, reporters and cameramen. Horie asked for something cold after landing, and watermelon was served. The Sikrinerk is outfitted with 41 solar panels containing 1100 solar cells to power its motor. Under sail power, Horie sailed across the Pacific in 193 days aboard the 5.8 metre yacht Mermaid in 1962 and also made a nonstop around-the-world solo voyage in a record 276 days in 1974.