Oldest person to sail across the Pacific solo
Who
Kenichi Horie
What
83:269 year(s):day(s)
Where
Japan (Cape Hinomisaki)
When
Age Restriction: Applications for this record title will only be accepted if the applicant is 16 years of age or over.

Veteran adventurer yachtsman Kenichi Horie (Japan, b. 8 September 1938) sailed on board Suntory Mermaid III nonstop from San Francisco, California, USA, to Cape Hinomisaki, Wakayama, Japan, between 26 March and 4 June 2022 (JST), a journey of 70 days. He departed at the age of 83 years 199 days and reached his destination aged 83 years 269 days.


It is not the first time that Horie has undertaken this epic voyage of some 8,700 km (5,400 mi); in fact, he was one of the first ever people to sail singlehanded across the Pacific from Nishinomiya, Japan, to San Francisco on board Mermaid between 12 May and 11 August 1962, at the age of 23.

The 990-kg (2,180-lb), 19-ft-long (5.8-m) aluminium cutter Suntory Mermaid III is based on the same specs as the Mermaid in which he first made the journey, albeit kitted out with far more advanced technology and equipment.

He also made the crossing in 1996 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 March 20 and August 5 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.

He completed a solo westbound circumnavigation of the world in 1973-74 and a north-south (longitudinal) circumnavigation in 1978-82.