Two Frenchmen cruised into the Island yesterday onboard a 21-foot fuel efficient boat in what was described as an experiment as the men make their way to France.

Spirit of Arielle Captain Yves Kinard, 52, and partner Patrick Brachet, 47, arrived from the French island of St. Martin in the Caribbean.

Some 900 miles later, it took them six days to get here — on one tank of fuel.

The boat is described as a Mayrik P214 MiniTrawler. On Mr. Kinard's website, he describes – in broken English – the rationale behind the experiment: "The MiniTrawler was born from a simple idea: Why make large when in a small boat there is average all to put, while remaining making safe at sea. (sic)

"P214, in only 6.50 metres in length, gathers all that one can await from a livable boat: A comfortable saloon with cooker, sink and counter to the kitchen, bathroom with toilet and shower, a dining place... and a cabin offering two bunks."

The pair pulled in to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in Hamilton just after 5 p.m.

RBYC Commodore Ralph Richardson, who was on hand to greet them with champagne, said: "The boat is 21 feet and came all the way from St. Martin.

"They travelled about 900 miles in open ocean and travelled through two days of gales and the boat has been specially designed to protect the environment.

"Its fuel economy was actually built into its design and the owner and designer is Yves Kinard who is also the manufacturer and they're taking it to France to show how drivetrains can be built for ships to conserve fuel, so it's an experimental boat in every essence.

"We're very thrilled that they chose to come to Bermuda on their way to France. It's a historic trip and the men are hoping that this boat will pave the way for drivetrains for ships so that we can be very conscious of how we save fuel."

But before they arrive in France, the men will sail to the Azores.

Explaining that the idea began from showcasing the boat in a large boat show in France, Mr. Kinard said in a heavy French accent: "I studied lots of principles on reducing fuel consumption and I saw it was a very good idea to make this design.

"When we departed St. Martin we had 1,300 litres of fuel and we still have more than 300 litres of fuel left but I must calculate it."

Asked to estimate the amount of fuel it would take a normal engine to travel 900 miles, he said: "It's impossible because you would need to take a lot of tanks in the cockpit and here, everything is under the floor onboard.

"Normally, for this kind of length of vessel, it would be impossible."

The duo will depart the Island in the coming days.

For more information visit www.mayrik.com.