{"product_id":"finnish-inventor-sails-to-ibiza-on-a-solar-powered-yacht-he-built-himself","title":"Finnish Inventor Sails to Ibiza on a Solar-Powered Yacht He Built Himself","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Finnish sailor and inventor has reached Ibiza after an extraordinary European journey aboard a \u003cstrong\u003esolar-powered yacht he designed and built himself\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLukas Sjöman\u003c\/strong\u003e spent around \u003cstrong\u003e200 days constructing the 11-metre vessel\u003c\/strong\u003e, named \u003cstrong\u003eHelios 11\u003c\/strong\u003e, before setting off from Finland with a companion and beginning a journey of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e5,500–5,700 kilometres\u003c\/strong\u003e to Ibiza.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unusual voyage demonstrates how renewable energy can be used for long-distance recreational travel, while also turning Ibiza into the final destination of an ambitious home-built maritime project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Yacht Built From Scratch\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSjöman's Helios 11 was constructed using \u003cstrong\u003emarine plywood and fibreglass\u003c\/strong\u003e and weighs approximately \u003cstrong\u003e1.5 tonnes\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe yacht was designed around a solar-electric propulsion system rather than conventional diesel or petrol power. Solar panels installed across the roof generate electricity, which is stored in an onboard \u003cstrong\u003e48-volt battery system\u003c\/strong\u003e. In clear conditions, the solar array can generate up to around \u003cstrong\u003e6 kilowatts\u003c\/strong\u003e of power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stored electricity powers the boat's propulsion as well as everyday equipment on board, including an \u003cstrong\u003eelectric cooker and a small refrigerator\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn auxiliary sail was also fitted to Helios 11, allowing the crew to take advantage of favourable winds and conserve electrical energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrom Finland to Ibiza\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe journey began in Finland and took Sjöman and his companion through \u003cstrong\u003eSweden, Denmark, Germany and France\u003c\/strong\u003e before eventually reaching Spain and the Mediterranean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than simply following a conventional coastal route, the voyage included \u003cstrong\u003ecanals, inland waterways and open-water sections\u003c\/strong\u003e, putting the homemade vessel through a variety of conditions along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe total distance has been reported at between approximately \u003cstrong\u003e5,500 and 5,700 kilometres\u003c\/strong\u003e, depending on the source and how the route is measured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe journey was completed without relying on conventional fuel for the yacht's propulsion, using solar-generated electricity, stored battery power and favourable winds instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNot Everything Went According to Plan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ambitious voyage also came with its share of unexpected challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the journey through Spain, the crew's \u003cstrong\u003einflatable dinghy was reportedly stolen\u003c\/strong\u003e. Unable to recover the original, they built a replacement using materials available to them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn another occasion, someone reportedly threw a \u003cstrong\u003estone from a bridge towards Helios 11's solar panels\u003c\/strong\u003e. Despite the incident, the panels were not damaged and continued producing electricity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese setbacks became part of the wider adventure as the crew continued towards the Mediterranean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eArriving in Ibiza\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter travelling thousands of kilometres across Europe, Sjöman eventually arrived at \u003cstrong\u003eMarina Ibiza\u003c\/strong\u003e, bringing Helios 11 to the island.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe arrival is particularly fitting given Ibiza's strong connection with boating and the Mediterranean, but this yacht is very different from the large luxury vessels normally associated with the island's summer ports.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead, Helios 11 represents a much smaller and more experimental approach to exploring the Mediterranean — one centred on \u003cstrong\u003esolar energy, lightweight construction and self-sufficiency\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAn Experiment in Sustainable Travel\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSjöman's project is more than simply a long-distance sailing adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy designing and building Helios 11 himself and then taking it thousands of kilometres across Europe, he has created a practical demonstration of what a small solar-electric vessel can achieve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe project has also become an educational venture. Sjöman shares details of the boat's construction and his experiences online, while making \u003cstrong\u003eplans, technical documentation and manuals\u003c\/strong\u003e available for people interested in building their own solar-powered vessels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Ibiza, his arrival adds an unusual sustainability story to the island's busy summer boating scene — showing that reaching the White Isle does not always require a conventional yacht or a tank full of fuel.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 16px;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DWT8VuVDOHC\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\"background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; 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font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\"\u003eView this post on Instagram\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-left: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DWT8VuVDOHC\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eA post shared by LUKAS - TRUE NORTH (@lukas.seaman)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ibiza One Stop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54830533935447,"sku":null,"price":1.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0830\/5567\/3687\/files\/FinnishInventorSailstoIbizaonaSolar-PoweredYachtHeBuiltHimself.jpg?v=1788157865","url":"https:\/\/ibizaonestop.com\/de\/products\/finnish-inventor-sails-to-ibiza-on-a-solar-powered-yacht-he-built-himself","provider":"Ibiza One Stop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}