The boat has room for one person only

Full details and the route of the "epic adventure" it will be involved in later this year are to be announced at a naming ceremony later in the summer.

Mr Mee, 33, said: "This is my hardest challenge yet. I will be crossing an ocean in a vessel powered only by kites. This is truly into the unknown."

The explorer is also planning a solo sailing expedition in 2007.

Mr Mee added: "The maximum size of the kites involved is 10 square metres, which gives us a maximum speed of eight knots."

The boat is 14 foot long, and has room for one person only.