Not for the faint of heart...

Swedish sailor Sven Yrvind, 75 years old, is making plans to break a world record. His goal is to sail solo non-stop around the world with the smallest vessel ever, the Yrvind Ten, a 10-foot, 1.5-ton boat he has built himself using DIAB (Laholm, Sweden) Divinycell composites.

The journey, estimated to take about 600 days, this will be Yrvind's longest voyage alone at sea. "People say it's impossible. Who cares? It is not the first time people have discouraged me," Yrvind says. Nearly 35 years ago, the U.K.'s Royal Cruising Club granted him the Seamanship Medal for sailing a 20-ft boat alone through the notoriously tempestuous waters off Cape Horn. His new endeavor will take him through those waters again. That is why he is taking no chances in constructing the Yrvind Ten. Composite construction is crucial in rough seas.

Decades of experience, research and intuition have given Yrvind unique expertise in boatbuilding. He knows it is not a question of if, but when the boat will capsize, strike something at sea or otherwise be put to the test. However, he believes there is no reason to fear the sea. On the contrary, he finds it safer than land — as long as one is smart and prepared.

As for Divinycell, he's hardly a novice. He has been building boats using DIAB composites since the 1980s. His very first Divinycell-boat, with the centerboard uniquely placed in front of the mast, can today be seen at the Maritime Museum in Stockholm.

Using Divinycell H100 reportedly makes the boat strong, lightweight, well-insulated and practically unsinkable. The hull itself is made of small tiles, or quadrangles, of Divinycell that are glued together and laminated. Secure in his proven boatbuilding skills and the sturdy Divinycell composite construction, Yrvind knows he can meet the challenges ahead.